The brook trout are the fish which mostly inhabit them, and, a singular fact, in many of these streams this kind of fish treat the presence of a man with perfect indifference, which has led me to believe, that in their primitive state, the “shy trout” fear neither man nor beast.  The Indians catch them, and it may be that this fish is first frightened by them.  In the Rocky Mountains, south of the head waters of the Arkansas, comparatively speaking, there are but few small birds and squirrels.  The raven, the crow, the hawk, the owl, and occasionally the eagle, are seen.  Wild geese, ducks, and cranes, are common.  Pigeons, including the wild dove, are not often seen.  The magpie is found in abundance.  Turkeys and grouse are also in abundance.  Wild rabbits and a species of hare are also common.  Indeed a man can travel for days in the Rocky Mountains and never hear the musical notes of a bird.  In these mountains, rattle-snakes are only found in the valleys, where it is warm.  In the summer, the deer and elk live in the mountains; but, when cold weather sets in, they are driven out of them by the deep snows.  The antelope of the plains seek the mountain valleys during the winter.  The buffalo migrate south as the season becomes too severe for them.  Sometimes they are caught by the storms, and are obliged to winter also in the mountain valleys.  The pine trees of the Rocky Mountains bear a small nut, which is called by the Mexicans pinon, which, when cooked, are quite pleasant to the taste.  There are many small salt lakes in the mountains, and many marshes, where the ground is covered white by the salt deposit.  The mineral wealth of the Rocky Mountains is very great, and there is no doubt but some day, rich veins of gold, silver, and iron ore will be discovered there.  The geological formation of the country is such as to warrant this belief.  Nearly every stream carries down in its floods that precious metal, gold; but, in such small quantities, as not to attract the attention of miners.  I have found there, on the surface of the earth, small pieces of material resembling stone coal, which have probably been thrown up by some volcanic action.  Hot and mineral springs are not unfrequently met with.  They are places of frequent resort by the Indians, who use them for medicinal purposes.

CHAPTER IX.

Kit Carson concludes to become a Farmer—­He is joined in the Enterprise by a Friend—­They build a Ranche on the Cimeron River—­Descriptions of Mexican Customs and Country—­Fremont once more at Bent’s Fort—­Express sent for Kit Carson to join the Expedition as Guide—­The Ranche Sold, and the Departure—­The Third Expedition and its Explorations—­Difficulties with the Mexican-Californians—­General Castro’s Orders to leave the Country—­Determination to Fight—­Fremont goes to Lawson’s Fort—­Fremont and his Men encounter a Thousand Indians—­The Battle and the Victory—­The news that War had been declared between the United States and Mexico reaches Fremont—­Lieutenant Gillespie rescued from the Indians—­Three of the party killed in the Night by Indians—­The Savages repulsed—­The Burial of Comrades.