escapes, Indian and bear fights, etc., cuts, to all
appearances, a sorrowful figure. His wardrobe is meagre in the
extreme, yet it answers all of his purposes and the man would have
no other. When summed up, it would be found to consist usually of
two pairs of moccasins, one (or two pair) of buckskin pantaloons, two
woollen shirts, a loose, fringed buckskin coat and an old slouched
hat (usually made of some kind of skin with the fur on). His baggage,
limited to a very small bundle, comprises his blankets, a buffalo robe
or two, a spare hide of dressed buckskin, his extra garments above
spoken of, and a little tobacco (when it can be had). These, with his
camp kettle and outfit of powder, lead, extra traps, scanty allowance
of provisions, guns, pistols, horses, bridles,[24] saddles, etc. make
up his traveling and working kit; it may be only for a few months or
it may be for years. With them he was ready to penetrate the loftiest
mountains and unexplored regions. This is but a true picture, in a
brief space, of the appearance of Kit Carson and the resources of his
earlier days, the tools he had to work with, the mode of doing his
labor, and the habits of the animal he diligently hunted for several
years in order that his fellow man might convert into a luxury the
products of his toil; yet had he been allowed the choice, he would not
have exchanged situations with the consumer of the commodity. In the
company of his boon companions and enjoying the pure mountain air, he
had often seen as happy hours as ever fell to the lot of any man. And
now he was starting out on probably his last trapping expedition.

[Footnote 24: These saddles and bridles are queer-looking articles;
but, for use, they could not be surpassed either for durability or
comfort. Their bridle bits are the same as are used by the Mexicans.
They are very powerful and intended for managing wild horses and
mules, particularly the latter. With one in his mouth, an animal
cannot drink or feed. A Mexican only waters his horse twice a day when
traveling, viz. morning and night.]

The party did not return to their homes until several months had
expired, and, as much of the excitement that used to pertain to their
former exploits had been worn off from the changes brought about by
civilization, they decided that this, as far as they were concerned,
should be their last trapping expedition; therefore, this visit to
their old haunts was a sort of funeral service perf