its consequent draft
upon their treasures, causing them to forget the risk of life and
limb and the expense of their valuable time, is most remarkable. These
hardy trappers, like reliable old salts, proved to be as true to the
bowl as they had been to their steel; for, most of the party, in a
very brief space of time, were penniless and ready to be fitted
out for another expedition. Young Kit, at this period of his life,
imitated the example set by his elders, for he wished to be considered
by them as an equal and a friend. He, however, passed through
this terrible ordeal, which most frequently ruins its votary,
and eventually came out brighter, clearer and more noble for the
conscience-polish which he received. He contracted no bad habits,
but learned the usefulness and happiness of resisting temptation, and
became so well schooled that he was able, by the caution and advice of
wisdom founded on experience, to prevent many a promising and skillful
hand from grasping ruin in the same vortex.

The scenes of pleasure lasted until the fall of 1830. Kit then joined
his second trapping expedition. This band had been formed for the
purpose of trapping the principal streams of the Rocky Mountains. Mr.
Fitzpatrick, a trapper well known and respected by the mountaineers,
had charge of the party. He was, at that time, well acquainted by
experience with the Rocky Mountains, and has, since then, gained an
enviable fame as an Indian Agent. The new party travelled North and
commenced operations on the Platte River, which they followed down
stream to one of its tributaries, the Sweet Water River. From
here they worked on until they reached the Green River. Hence they
journeyed to Jackson's Hole, which is a fork of the Great Columbia
River. After making a short stay at this point they started for the
Salmon River. Here they were joined by a band of their own party, who
had left Taos some days in advance of the main body, and for whom they
were then hunting. The whole party, as now organized, remained where
they were throughout the winter of 1830 and 1831, employed in killing
only the amount of game necessary for their sustenance. An unfortunate
affair here happened to them. Four of their men, while hunting
buffalo, were attacked and killed by a party of Blackfeet Indians.
No other incident occurred during the winter to change the everyday
routine. In April of 1831, they recommenced trapping, shaping their
course for Bear River. This i