This proved to him an invaluable acquisition.

He had also gathered and stored away in his retentive memory all that this veteran ranger of the woods could communicate respecting the geography of the Far West, the difficulties to be encountered and the mode of surmounting them.

And now he was learning everything that could be learned from these Canadian boatmen and rangers.
Already young Carson had attained eminence.

It was often said, "No matter what happens, Kit Carson always knows at the moment exactly what is best to be done." Both as a hunter and a trapper, though he had not yet attained the age of manhood, he was admitted to be the ablest man in the party.

And his native dignity of person and sobriety of manners commanded universal respect.