author was, on a fitting occasion, questioning him in regard to Kit
Carson's capabilities with the rifle. Said he: "If a man has a serious
quarrel with Kit Carson, he had better not let him get the _first
sight over his rifle_; for, if he succeeds in this, his adversary is
as good as dead."

An intimate acquaintance and tried friendship with Kit Carson has,
since then, repeatedly furnished occasions which have confirmed this
trapper's statement; although, in the first instance, a person will
find it no easy task to render an altercation necessary, for Kit
Carson holds his passions fully under control; and, besides, they are
of a very conciliatory type. No man will sooner shun a difficulty when
justice, honor and necessity do not warrant strife.

The work of collecting the horses was soon accomplished, when Carson
immediately commenced his journey back to the camp. This he reached
in safety, after overcoming a few minor difficulties caused by his
charge; and, had the satisfaction of returning the six horses to Mr.
Robidoux in as good condition as they were the night on which they
were stolen; and, also, of informing him that there was one rascal
less in the world to prey upon honest people.

This event served to interrupt the monotony and routine of winter camp
duty, affording a basis for many a long yarn during the evening
hours around the camp fires. These trappers, especially whenever a
green-eyed bundle of curiosity chances to seek their company, can spin
yarns most wondrous. The habits of the beaver and their remarkable
instinct, form a fit subject for their active imagination. It would
doubtless add very much to the interest of these pages if we could set
down a few of these anecdotes and tales for the general reader; but,
the task would be hopeless as to its accomplishment. To give them
life and reality, they require all the surroundings of time, place and
occasion; there should be the dark night; the wild whistling wind; the
shaking tent with its covering of skins; the roasted venison, bear's
meat, or horse flesh; the rifles standing in the corners; the lamp of
bear's grease; in fine, all the similitude of camp life. Then the wild
stories of bear fightings, beaver intelligence, Indian deviltry, and
hairbreadth escapes, become intensely real. The auditor hangs upon
each word which falls from the lips of the supposed sage orator with
eager earnestness, while curiosity never becomes satisfied.

"Ah! Jones, that