The Life of Kit Carson

ons set out on a Trapp

at Success-Is Engaged

f an Indi

a beaver. He proposed to two of his companions that they start on a private expedit

and gave them their best wishes. Cordial farewells were exchanged all

flow from this course. During the summer season the mountain Indians generally placed their women and children in charge of the old men and a few warriors and came down from their retreats to engage in hu

mistaken. The fur bearing animals seemed to be overrunning the country, while the Indians acted not only as if unaware of the fact but as if entirely ignora

they had nothing to do beyond taking care of themselves; but now their valuable peltries were lia

s great demand for peltries and prices were correspondingly high. They sold out their stock for a very liberal price, and Kit's friend, despite his advice, went on a carousal which soon squan

er, thoughtful, cool headed, wonderfully quick to grasp all the points of a situation, chi

then a member of the firm of Bent and St. Vrain, engaged for so many years in furnishing supplies to those who visited the mountains and plains. Cap

e, Carson and a number of men started northward to find their purchasers. They followed the well worn mule

country to Winty River, where they came upon a party of twenty hunters, who were engaged in trading and trapping as opportunit

o winter quarters near the mouth of Winty River. There they erected skin lodges, such as

s services, no matter where he happened to be, and it was not

s native keenness, and who stood well in the confidence of his employer; but one day he disappeared, simultaneously with several

young Carson), appealed to him to help him to recover his property. Carson said he was perfectly willing, provided Captain

loped off. He had not ridden far when he turned off toward an Indian village, whose people were on friendly terms with the hunters, and, riding directly among the re

rrior they had ever seen. He could have secured a score of braves had he wanted them, but he desired only one-a sinewy, daring fellow whom he knew could be relied on in any emergen

o do so. A slight examination showed the pursuers that it led down the Green River, the general co

certain he would be pursued, he lost no time on the road. The trail showed he was going at a