trapping down the river.  What gave the men great surprise, they discovered unmistakable signs of another trapping party.  In a short time it appeared that they were close to a party belonging to the Hudson’s Bay Company, commanded by Peter Ogden.  Young’s men, however, continued setting their traps on the San Joaquin and its tributaries.  The two parties were near each other for some time, and as deer, elk, and antelope existed by thousands around them, which it was no trouble to kill in any numbers desirable, they fared well.  On again reaching the Sacramento River, the two parties separated.  Mr. Ogden, with his party, set out for the Columbia River, while Mr. Young’s party encamped where they were, for the remainder of the summer.  As the season for trapping had passed, they employed their time in hunting and preparing meat for future necessity.

It was here that Kit Carson soon distinguished himself as a superior hunter, which reputation he has maintained ever since, no matter who have been his antagonists.  Not but that Kit may have had his equals; but that it is next to an impossibility to find his superior.  At all events, the world has given Kit Carson the title of “Nestor of the Rocky Mountains,” for his reputation as a hunter alone; and as his biographer, we take pleasure in recording the facts by which the title has been earned and maintained.  Let the reader possess himself of the facts, as they shall appear divested of any and every picture which fancy or partiality may accidentally cause us to paint, and even then Kit Carson will not lose the title.  On the contrary, it will become the more indelibly stamped upon his brow.

During the sojourn of the trappers on the Sacramento, an event occurred which exhibited the readiness with which these men responded to calls upon them for aid in a just cause.  A few of the Indians belonging to the Mission of the San Rafael, after committing some excesses, deserted from those to whom they had pretended friendship.  The priest having charge of the Mission sent a strong force to search for the fugitives.  They were found secreted in an Indian village, the inhabitants of which were not on friendly terms with the priest’s party.  A demand was made that the deserters should be given up, which being refused, a fight ensued, and the priest’s party was defeated.  Assistance was now asked from the trappers.  The request was complied with by Carson and eleven of his companions, who volunteered for the occasion.  Thus reinforced, the vanquished party returned and resumed the fight, but with a far different result.  The Indian village was captured and one third of its inhabitants killed.  The day following a second demand to deliver up the deserters was complied with.  Carson and his companions then left the priest’s party and rejoined their camp.  A short time after this affair had happened, Mr. Young carried the furs he had on hand to the Mission of San Rafael, where he was so fortunate as to find a captain of a trading schooner to whom he succeeded in disposing of the entire stock.  With the money accruing from the sale, he purchased horses and then rejoined his company.