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 performed over their
early adventures. On quitting each favorite river, the trappers felt
that they were shaking hands with the streams and bidding them, one by
one, a final good bye.

Kit Carson, after disposing of his beaver, occupied himself in
attending to his ranche, and was thus employed when news was brought
to New Mexico of the exorbitant prices which sheep were bringing in
California. He made up his mind to embark in a speculation in those
animals by collecting a herd and driving it to that territory. He set
out for the valley of Rio Abajo, which lies to the south of Santa Fé,