There are some who believe that the best work Kit Carson ever did was later, when he became an Indian agent. His knowledge of the Indians and his understanding of their character enabled him to deal with them as few white men could have done. There were times when alone he entered the councils of the tribes when they were planning war and by his quiet and earnest appeals he induced them to abandon their warlike plans. But even his efforts were unavailing at times and with certain of the more blood-thirsty Indians. His activity and knowledge, however, were felt most when there were uprisings that sometimes were terrible in their effects upon the scattered settlers.
Even to the last of his life he insisted upon occasional vacations. At such times he would return with some of his chosen friends to his old occupations and the places which had known him when he was only a boy scout.
It is reported that when at last Kit Carson became ill with the sickness that ended his life, the doctor who was attending his case, and who was one of his warmest friends, spent much time reading to the old scout the story of his life which had recently been published. There is no doubt that Carson keenly enjoyed the narrative, although in his modesty he declared that he did not see why any one should ever have considered it worth while to write in a book an account of his experiences and adventures.
It was May 23, 1868 when Kit Carson breathed his last. To-day, however, if you visit the region in which his scouting was done you will find many men who claim that they knew the famous scout, and if you are willing to listen they will tell you many marvellous tales of his bravery and his adventures. It is also quite likely that some of these stories are true.
THE END
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