laborious, was successfully accomplished. Messrs. Fitzpatrick and
Bridger received and entertained them very hospitably, and purchased
their entire stock, paying therefor in beaver fur. Kit Carson then
joined Fitzpatrick's band, but remained with it only one month.
His reason for separating from it was, that there were too many men
congregated together either to accomplish much, or to make the general
result profitable in the distribution. He, accordingly, arranged
an enterprise upon his own account; and, from his well-established
reputation, found more men than he wanted ready to join him. From
those who applied, he selected but three. These were men of the best
material; and, no man could judge a trapper's qualifications better
than Kit Carson.

With his three men he immediately set out for the Laramie River. On
this stream and its tributaries, he spent the summer. Perhaps our
readers will look for a full description of the course which the
American trapper pursues in order to catch beaver. It is very simple
in its detail but difficult and tedious in its application. The trap
is the common steel trap made in the usual form; if there is any
difference, it is larger and more powerful. It is set in the haunts
of the beaver with a particular kind of bait[6] known chiefly among
trappers. It is a singular fact that, frequently, old beavers will be
discovered springing the traps, by the aid of a stick. If discovered
at his work, he seems to enjoy hugely the vexation of the trappers
which they sometimes exhibit. An old trapper, however, especially if
he be a Frenchman or Mexican, feels so much pride in the matter, that
he will cover up his vexation under assumed politeness, as if the
beaver could understand and appreciate his language.

[Footnote 6: Animalium patris testiculum.]