But I must not forget the names of other brave trappers, with whom I became acquainted, and who often shared with me my camp in the Indian country, such as Peg Leg Smith, Joseph Walker, and a host of other brave men.  I will here tell you how Smith got his name of Peg Leg.

Thirty years ago, he and some of his companions were trapping in the Indian country.  They had made a hut in a ravine.  For a camping place, it was so well concealed, that for a long time they were undisturbed.  One day, however, Smith and three or four of his party were discovered by Indians, about two miles from camp.  A fight took place, in which Smith was struck by a rifle ball, that shattered the bone below the knee.  He fell, and during the melee managed to crawl into a thicket, unobserved either by the Indians or his own men.  Here, after tying up his own leg with buckskin thongs which he cut from his hunting shirt, he very coolly and deliberately went to work with his own knife, and cut his own leg off.  After this he crawled to his camp, where he found his companions who supposed he was dead, and who were expecting the next morning to go and find his body.

This is said to be a true story, and who of those who were in California twenty years ago, do not remember Peg Leg Smith and his horse John.  He would come into San Francisco, or Benicia, riding like the wind, his long grey hair floating about his shoulders, and then that never-to-be-forgotten war-whoop!  And now here in Benicia, he dashes up to the Vallejos hotel.

“John,” he says to his horse, “down sir, quick.  I’m mighty dry.”  Down goes the horse; old Peg gets off.  “Boys, how are you.  I say there,” addressing the bar tender, “make me a whiskey toddy.”

This is done at once.  No pay is expected.  No one expects Peg Leg Smith to pay for any thing, where he is known.

Most of these men possessed many noble impulses, and would prove true to the death for their friends.  But they considered the killing of an Indian as justifiable, whenever they met with one.

I was at this time at work under Colonel Jack Hayes, of Texas.  Every one familiar with the history of that State in its infancy, will remember him as an old Indian fighter.  He was one who never turned his back on friend or foe.  At this time, he was United States Surveyor-General of California.

Some may like to know how we camp in an Indian country.  I will give a brief description of our camp.  First our pack saddles are placed in a circle, enclosing a pretty large space.  Our provisions and goods are then stored inside of the circle.  Our animals are picketed at our heads, the pack saddles serving as pillows, and our feet being towards the centre of the circle.  When there is danger to be apprehended, the animals are placed within the circle.  But ordinarily, they graze to the extent of their picket ropes upon the rich grass outside.  Generally inside the circle there is a rousing fire.  Those of