CHAPTER XVIII.
Carson Visits his Old Home in Missouri--He Goes to St.Louis--Voyage up the Missouri--Makes the Acquaintance of Lieutenant John C.Fremont--Is engaged as a Guide for Fremont's First Expedition--The Start Westward--Various Mishaps--The Emigrants--The False Alarm.
Kit Carson had left his home in Missouri when only a boy and he was now in the prime of a vigorous young manhood.

The years since he turned his back upon his old home had been busy and eventful ones and now, as is often the case with those placed as was he, he longed to visit the scenes of his childhood, and to meet and shake the hands of those of his old friends who were still among the living.
In the spring of 1842, Carson went eastward with a train of wagons, carrying goods to the States.

When the borders of Missouri were reached, he bade his companions goodbye and made his way back to his old home.
His experience was touching.

His parents were dead, the old building which would ever linger in his memory, had tumbled down and nearly every one whom he met was a stranger.

The cheeks of the hardy mountaineer were wet with tears, and with a sigh, he turned his face away forever.
Carson had never seen a large city, and he made his way to St.Louis, where he spent more than a week in sight seeing.