was small and the risks they ran of attacks from hostile and covetous
Indians were imminent; but, fortune, or Providence favored them and
there was finally a satisfactory end to their anxieties; for, after a
quick march over the plains, they arrived safely at Taos. Beaver fur
was, at the time of their arrival, in great demand and prices ruled
correspondingly high. Kit and his comrades obtained the benefit of
this state of the market and disposed of their fine stock to great
advantage.

The money realized, so far as Kit's two comrades were concerned, was
soon expended in fleeting pleasures and a new outfit for the next
trapping expedition which might offer. Kit's former experience had
been sufficient on this score, and he had become impressed with the
highly important fact that there existed a much wiser course to be
pursued. With his characteristic consistency, Kit acted upon this
conviction and wisely saved his hard earnings.

While remaining at Taos, Kit Carson met with Captain Lee, formerly of
the United States Army; but, at this time, a partner of Bent and
St. Vrain, two names as familiarly known to the mountaineers as the
household words of their boyhood days.

Captain Lee was purchasing goods for the purpose of trading with
and supplying the trappers. He desired Kit Carson to join in his
enterprise and made him an offer which was accepted.

In the latter part of October 1832, with their goods well packed
and properly fitted for the rough transportation which they must
necessarily be subjected to, they set out to find the trappers. They
traveled for some distance on a route well known as the "Old Spanish