y to a saddle on but
one animal, while the two ends are allowed to drag upon the ground.
Directly in the rear of the horse the patient's bed is affixed. If the
poles are long they will act as springs, especially when the wood used
is of a kind which has considerable elasticity.

Having arranged everything to the satisfaction and comfort of the
wounded men, the party commenced their march and in four days reached
Gaunt's camp where they rested until the wounded men had nearly
recovered. This simple fact shows the careful and sympathizing care
which the mountaineers of the west ever exhibit towards each other in
distress. It speaks more than would volumes of mere praise, concerning
their character for true manhood.

When the wounded men had so far recovered that they could safely
proceed, the whole party, now quite strong in its numerical power, as
well as skill and mountaineer experience, departed for, and, in due
time, arrived at the Old Park. The coveted beaver however were scarce
there, for other trappers had preceded them; and, to employ trapping
phrase, "had caught all the fur in those streams that could be taken
that season." This was an unpleasant condition for their business
prospects; but, as the old adage hath it, "what could not be cured was
quietly endured." Catching beaver is not always a matter of choice.
The beaver themselves have considerable to say on the subject.

CHAPTER IV.

Kit Carson and two Companions plan a Hunt for themselves--The
Great Success met with--Return to Taos--Sale of the Beaver
Fur--Kit Carson joins Captain Lee and goes on a Trading
Expedition--Winter Quarters--Kit Carson is sent in Pursuit
of a Thief--Overtakes and is obliged to shoot the
Runaway--Property recovered--The Return to Camp--The Sale
of Goods--Kit Carson joins Fitzpatrick and Party--Kit Carson
organizes a Hunting Party--His Encounter with two Grizzly
Bears--The Summer Rendezvous--Kit Carson joins fifty Trappers
and goes to the Country of the Blackfeet Indians--Annoyances
received from these Indians--Winter Quarters in 1832--Horses
Stolen--Kit Carson and eleven Men in Pursuit--A Parley--A
Fight--Kit Carson severely wounded--His great Sufferings
and Fortitude--His Convalescence--The Retreat--A New
Expedition--Braggadocio--Kit Carson Fights a Duel and Wounds
his man--Duels in the Rocky Mountains in Olden Times.

The fortunes of Gaunt's party in not