uselessness of the metals, the work was abandoned, and their
descendants failed to obtain the knowledge which their ancestors
possessed. These mines, and those which exist nearer to the large
towns, will some day render New Mexico a profitable and rich field for
the learned antiquary.

The ruse which Mr. Young found absolutely necessary to employ, in
order to blind the Mexican authorities, succeeded so well, that when
the fur arrived at Santa Fe, every one considered the trappers had
made a very good trade. The amount of beaver thus brought in amounted
to two thousand pounds. The market price was twelve dollars the pound.
The proceeds, therefore, of the entire trip were nearly twenty-four
thousand dollars. The division of this handsome sum gave to each man
several hundred dollars. It was during the month of April, 1830, that
Mr. Young's party again reached the town of Taos. Here they disbanded,
having completed their enterprise. Like as Jack, when he returns
from his battles with old ocean, having a pocket well lined with hard
earnings, fails not to plunge into excess, with the determination to
make up for the pleasure lost by years of toil, the brave mountaineers
courted merrymaking. From their own accounts, they passed a short
time gloriously. This similarity of disposition between trappers and
sailors, in regard to pleasure's syren cup and 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