his place, they found congregated, all the
principal trappers of the Rocky Mountains. They were divided into two
camps, and numbered about two hundred men. The objects which brought
them thus together were, the disposal of their fur and the purchase of
supplies.

When all the parties had reported their arrival, the trading commenced
and was conducted upon a basis which gave general satisfaction. The
most exorbitant and fabulous prices ruled for such articles as the
mountaineers required. Sugar and coffee brought two dollars the pint;
powder, the same; and ordinary blankets were sold at fifteen and
twenty-five dollars each.

Coffee, sugar, and even flour, were luxuries not every day indulged in
by the hardy mountaineers. They seldom partook of such dainties; not
more frequently than two or three times in the year, and then, merely
as rare treats. Their standard food was game and wild vegetables when
in their season.

This meeting of the trappers continued in progress during two months.
It was then dissolved; and, once more the bold mountaineers formed
into bands of a size convenient for trapping, and started out to
engage in the fall hunt. Kit Carson joined a party of fifty men which
was bound for the country occupied by the Blackfeet Indians, and which
lies on and adjacent to the head waters of the Missouri River. The
party met with very poor success in catching beaver, but had their
fill of annoyances from the tribe of savages already referred to.
Finally the state of affairs between the trappers and the Indians
became so desperate, that a white man could not leave his camp and
go a distance of a single mile alone without being fired upon, so
completely and untiringly was their camp surrounded and watched by
this wily and dangerous tribe of Indians.

This state of affairs led them to the determination to quit the
country, as the trapping season was far advanced. With this line of
policy they began the march; and, in the month of November, 1832,
arrived on the banks of the Big Snake River where they established
winter quarters and remained until the subsequent February.

During these winter months, the quiet monotony of their life was
unexpectedly broken in upon by a band of their old enemies, the
Blackfeet Indians. Taking advantage of an unusually dark night they
entered the camp and succeeded in running off eighteen of their
horses. In consideration of their leniency displayed towards them when
they were engage