It was late in the afternoon when these heroic men were all re-assembled around the camp-fires, to recount the adventures of the day.  With the sleeplessness of the preceding night, and the toil and peril which the rising sun had ushered in, they were all exceedingly exhausted.  Still the consciousness that they were surrounded by a vigilant and powerful foe, rendered it necessary for them to adopt every precaution for their safety.  They tethered their horses with very great care, near their camp.  They prepared hasty ramparts which guarded every approach; and having established a very careful guard, sought that repose which all so greatly needed.  The night passed without alarm.

At the distance of four days’ march, there was another encampment of trappers, under Mr. Gaunt.  They decided as speedily as possible to join them.  But the two wounded men found their wounds so inflamed that they could not travel.  The trappers, accustomed to such exigencies, prepared for them litters very ingeniously constructed.  They cut two flexible poles about twenty-four feet long.  These were laid upon the ground, three feet apart, and a buffalo robe laid between them, strongly fastened on either side, so as to present a swinging hammock about six feet in length.  This left at either end shafts about six feet long.  Two mules or horses, of about the same size were selected as carriers.  The ends of these shafts were attached to saddles, on each of the animals.  Thus the patient was borne by a gentle, swinging motion, over the roughest paths.

In four days they reached Gaunt’s camp.  The whole united party set out for the lovely region to which we have before alluded, known as the Great Park.  Here they found beautiful scenery, game in abundance, a delicious climate, rich pasturage for their animals, but no beavers.  Other trapping parties had just preceded them, and emptied all the streams of their furs.  For a week or two they wandered far and wide, setting their traps in vain.  At length Kit Carson, weary of such profitless pursuits, took two chosen companions with him, and with the hearty good wishes of Mr. Gaunt and the remaining trappers, set out on an expedition on his own account.

He plunged directly into the very heart of the mountains, where game not being abundant he would be less likely to be annoyed by the savages.  His experience and sagacity guided him safely and successfully.  For several months these three men wandered about among these lonely streams, which even the Indian rarely visited.  They found beaver in abundance, and loading down their animals with the well packed furs, set out on their perilous journey home.  It was necessary for them to pass over miles of open prairie, where Indian bands were ever found pursuing buffalo, deer and other game.  It would seem that a miracle only could preserve them from attack, and they were too few in numbers for a persistent defence.