finding game continued to grow
darker and darker as they traveled from stream to stream. The men
began to grow disheartened at this succession of failures. Kit Carson,
finally, became so tired of going empty handed, that he resolved to
try a hunt upon his own account. On stating his intentions to the
party, two of his old companions offered to join him. These were
gladly accepted by Kit; and, had they not been deterred by the
consideration that their dangers would be greatly augmented if they
worked with so small a party, others would most willingly have joined
his company. With the good wishes, therefore, of Gaunt and his entire
band, Kit and his two brave comrades boldly and confidently commenced
their march.

The plan Kit adopted was to confine his operations exclusively to the
mountain streams and not to venture out upon the Prairie. By taking
this course he hoped to avoid much of the danger to be apprehended
from Indians.[5]

[Footnote 5: The mountain Indians, during the Summer season generally
come down from their secure retreats and are engaged either in hunting
buffalo, or marching on the war-path. When they are at peace with the
Indians of the Plains, which is rarely the case, they join them, and,
together, with their united strength and skill, they make piratical
excursions into the Settlements of the Mexicans. While out on this
business, they leave their families in some secluded spot for abundant
caution, placing them under the guardianship of the old men, assisted
by some of the younger members of the tribe.]

For several months they followed the business of trapping without
being in any way annoyed by the Indians. Their success was abundant.
At the end of the season they had gathered together a splendid stock
of beaver fur and began to think of a homeward trip. Having made
everything ready, they finally started for Taos. True, their party
was small and the risks they ran of attacks from hostile and covetous
Indians were imminent; but, fortune, or Providence favored them and
there was finally a satisfactory end to their anxieties; for, after a
quick march over the plains, they arrived safely at Taos. Beaver fur
was, at the time of their arrival, in great demand and prices ruled
correspondingly high. Kit and his comrades obtained the benefit of
this state of the market and disposed of their fine stock to great
advantage.

The money realized, so far as Kit's two comrades were concerned, was
soon expend