the western wilds are invariably "dead shots" with the rifle and
well versed in Indian strategy. On the other hand, the red men were,
comparatively speaking, poorly armed, and could not travel together
for any length of time in large parties, because they depended for
food chiefly upon hunting. Had there existed no other cause, the means
of obtaining provision being limited, must have compelled them to
separate. Very frequently whole tribes are reduced to depend upon
daily hunts. The bravery of the Indians is of a different stamp from
that which is exhibited by the whites, especially where the white man
is a Simon-pure western trapper. The white man on the prairie or in
the mountains, knows but too well that if attacked by Indians he
must conquer or die. It was, and is, seldom that a company out on an
expedition has any place of refuge to which it may retreat. Here is
the principal reason why the trapper is so seldom defeated. He cannot
afford to lose his life to a certainty, and consequently will not
allow a defeat.

After this fight, Young's party trapped down the Salt River to San
Francisco River, and thence on up to the head of the latter stream.
The Indians failed not to hover on their pathway, and to make nightly
attacks upon their party. Frequently they would crawl into camp and
steal a trap, or kill a mule or a horse, and do whatever other damage
they could secretly. At the head of the San Francisco River the
company was divided. It was so arranged, that one party was to proceed
to the valley of the Sacramento in California. Of this detachment
Kit Carson was a member. The other party had orders to return to New
Mexico for the purpose of procuring traps to replace those stolen.
This latter party was also commissioned to take and dispose of the
stock of beaver already on hand. The party bound for California was
eighteen in number. Of this party Mr. Young took command. Previous to