Year: 1871




In former days, before the present
development of civilization in the
Northwestern Territories, and the influx
of emigration thither, those vast tracts
were traversed by scattered bands of
trappers. After long and tedious jour
neys into the distant and unknown in
terror, the horses were laden, and the
homeward journey begun. 1t was sure
to prove continual warfare all the
way-strategem, prowess, and courage,
being in constant requisitiOn.


The malignant Blackfoot, .Arapahoe,
Cheyenne, or some of the scores of
other tribes, followed them like their
shadows. The treacherous crack of
their rifles was heard from the noun
tain-side, the wild defle, or was fired
from the backs of the circling steed on
the prairie.


And many was the hunter who, hav-
ing toiled for months, and been sub
.jected to all manner of exposure, and
who having started homeward with his
precious freight, fell victim to the
hatred of the savage when almost within
sight of his destination.


y
catching beaver is like the ordinary
steel one, except that it is larger, and
more powerful. 1t is generally placed
a few inches beneath the surface of the
water, near a place where there are
signs of the animal passing. The bank
Immediately surrounding it is generally
smeared with an odoriferous substance,
extracted from the beaver himself, the
smell of which is almost always sure to
bring the animal to the spot, and on
cropping around, he is almost certain to
"put his foot in it," and remain there,
uttering the most piteous cries, and
creating the greatest excitement among
his companions, until the trapper makes
his appearance and puts an end to the
outcries and terrors of the poor animal


Very frequently an old beaver is dis
covered springing the trap with a stick,
and his enjoyment seems fully as great
as the evaporation of the baffied trap
per.


Kit Carson once found the party he
was in too large to have much chance of
getting peltries. He accordingly organ
lied an expedition on his own account,
selecting three of the best from those
who were anxious to join him; and
with these he Immediately set out for
Laramie river. This was in early sum-
mer, and they met with unusual success
during the few months which they re-
NAMED together.


When the winter gave signs of ap
proach, Carson and his companions con-
cluded to join Captain Bridger's COM
mand, which was at no great distance.
They set out on cold, clear morning,
and for several days met with no Incl
dent worthy of mention.


Late one afternoon, Immediately after
the party had cone into camp, Carson,
who had fingered somewhat in the rear,
came galloping into camp, and, fiinging
himself to the ground, gave his horse in
charge of one of the men.


whats up now?' inquired the lat
ter.


I'm tired of riding, and want little
exercise on foot"


"Going on a hunt?''


"That's my intention"


"When may we look for your re-
turn ?''


Carson glanced up to the sky, so as
to make sure of the time of day, and
then answered:


off nothing happens, l shall bring
you your supper in time


With these words he flung his rifle
over his shoulder, and started off on his
eventful hunt.


He walked briskly along for about a
mile, when he came upon the fresh
tracks of some elk. Following the trail
for about half that distance further he
caught sight of the game grazing on the
side of hill. AS it is an extremely
difficult task to approach these timid
animals, Carson made a careful survey
of the natural surroundings to see what
help he could gain from them.


Within a short distance of him were
some diminutive scrubby pine trees, to-
ward which he began. creeping on his
hands and knees. Considerable time
was occupied in reaching them, but he
succeeded at last, and found that he
had the game within easy range of his
death-dealing rifle.


Upon raising the hammer of his rifle
to fire, he found that he had not yet
gained the exact spot he was seeking,
and he resumed his creeping over the
ground but had moved but a step or
two when he saw that the wary animals
had scented danger.


They were standing with raised heads,
looking directly toward him, and, al
though he kept his body invisible, yet
he could not deceive the extraordinary
delicacy of their olfactories. Imme-
diately after th9y began moving slowly
away.


This action on the part of the elk or
the antelope Is always preliminary to a
leap and faster run; and, without wait
ing for this, Carson quickly sighted his
eye and pulled the trigger.


The largest and fattest of the game
made frenzied bound in the air, and
fell dead in his tracks while the hunt
er, drawing his knife, dashed forward
with the intention of securing the