It is thus that we might go on and fill page after page with this picture-talk of the trappers.  Some of their yarns are pretty tightly strained, but most of them contain a capital hit and are usually founded on the facts.  It is a well authenticated fact that the beaver has but one mate; and, that they live together a loving couple, as if husband and wife.  As to their liaisons, coquetry, flirting and so forth, doubtless the society in some parts of the human family will bear a faithful resemblance in these respects also.  As an example of industry the world will look in vain for a better one than is afforded by the little beaver of the Western Rivers.  Look at them patiently felling the tallest trees; and, so nicely adjusting their fall and calculating their height, that they strike the opposite bank of their stream gaining a fixed and permanent lodgment.  It is thus that these wonderful little creatures will often erect dams across wide rivers and effectually stop the rushing torrents.

As has appeared, after collecting the six horses, Kit Carson returned with them safely into camp.  A few days subsequent to this occurrence, a band of trappers belonging to another party en route, entered the camp.  These men reported that Fitzpatrick and Bridger were encamped on Snake River distant about fifteen days’ journey.  This was too good news for Captain Lee and Kit to warrant their remaining any longer idle.  They doubted not but that they should be able to dispose of their goods to these parties.  With this object in view, they prepared for the march and started.  Their journey, although perilous and 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.