th the region and was confident that
the expedition would not only be enjoyable and thrilling in the highest
degree, but would prove profitable to all.

The party travelled northward until they reached the Platte River where
the business began. They moved from stream to stream, as necessity
demanded, shooting such game as they needed, exchanging shots with the
watchful red men, who killed four of the trappers while hunting bison,
and steadily adding to their stock of furs until the close of the season
in the spring of 1831. Learning that an old mountaineer, named Captain
Gaunt, had spent the winter at Laramie River and was then at New Park,
Kit Carson and four of his friends set out to join him. It was a long
and perilous journey, but they made it in safety and the Captain gave
them glad welcome. They hunted together for many months following until
the Captain went to Taos to sell his peltries. On his return, operations
were resumed until the weather became so cold they were forced into
winter quarters.

The winter proved very severe. The snow was so deep that only by cutting
down numerous cottonwoods and using the bark and twigs for fodder were
the animals saved from starvation. Fortunately, they had laid in a
good stock of bison meat so that the trappers themselves underwent no
suffering for food. In fact, they found little to do except to pass the
time in idleness. With abundant food, plenty of tobacco and the means
of engaging in certain games, they whiled away the long winter days and
evenings until the signs of spring appeared.

But while the winds were moaning around their hut, in which they made
their home, and the snow rattled like fine sand against the logs, they
were taught again that no weather is severe enough to keep the wily red
man within his wigwam. A party of Crow Indians discovered the camp of
the trappers and one tempestuous night made them a stealthy visit. They
departed during the darkness, and, when they went away, took with them
nine of the very best horses of the hunters--a loss too serious to be
borne without using every recourse to prevent it.

CHAPTER V.

Kit Carson's Decision--A Hot Pursuit an and Unexpected Discovery--Weary
Waiting--A Snow Balling Party--A Daring Attack--Brilliant Exploit.

Instinctively every one turned to Carson to learn what he had to advise
and yet each was certain what he would say.

"It'll never do, boys, to let them steal our horses in that style,"
he