“There was something inexpressibly exhilarating in the sensation of positive freedom from all worldly care, and a consequent expansion of the sinews, as it were, of mind and body, which made me feel as elastic as a ball of India rubber, and in such a state of perfect ease that no more dread of scalping Indians entered my mind, than if I had been sitting in Broadway, in one of the windows of the Astor House.  The very happiest moments of my life have been spent in the wilderness of the Far West, with no friend near me more faithful than my rifle, and no companion more sociable than my horse and mules.

“With a plentiful supply of pine logs on the fire, and its cheerful blaze streaming far up into the sky, illuminating the valley far and near, and exhibiting the animals, with well filled bellies, standing contentedly over their picket-pins, I would sit enjoying the genial warmth, building castles in the air.  Scarcely ever did I wish to exchange such hours of freedom for all the luxuries of civilized life.  Such are the fascinations of the life of the mountain hunter that I believe that not one instance could be adduced of even the most polished and civilized of men, who had once tasted the sweets of its attendant liberty and freedom from every worldly care, not sighing once more to partake of its pleasures and allurements.

“A hunter’s camp in the Rocky mountains is quite a picture.  It is invariably made in a picturesque locality.  Nothing can be more social and cheering than the welcome blaze of the camp fire on a cold winter’s night.”

Young Carson, alone with his horse and mule, would journey from fifty to a hundred miles, examining every creek and stream, keeping a sharp lookout for signs of beaver.  Having selected his location, generally in some valley eight or ten miles in extent, with a winding stream circling through the centre, which he had reason to believe was well stocked with beaver, he would choose a position for his camp.  This would be more or less elaborate in its construction, according to the time he intended to spend there.  But he would always find some sunny nook, with a southern exposure and a pleasing prospect, near the brook or some spring of sweet water, and, if possible, with forest or rock sheltering from the north winds.

In a few hours young Carson would construct his half-faced cabin, as the hunting-camp was called.  A large log generally furnished the foundation of the back part of the hut.  Four stout stakes were then planted in the ground so as to inclose a space about eight feet square.  These stakes were crotched at the ends, so as to support others for the roof.  The front was about five feet high, the back not more than four.  The whole slope of the roof was from the front to the back.  The covering was made of bark or slabs and sometimes of skins.  The sides were covered in a similar way.  The whole of the front was open.  The smooth ground floor was strewed with fragrant hemlock branches, over which were spread blankets or buffalo robes.  In front of the opening the camp fire could be built, or on the one side or the other, in accordance with the wind.