  | CHAPTER I. | | PAGE | | Hero of the narrative—from what race descended—his fame—theater of his exploits-nativity—his father emigrates to Missouri—father's occupation—Kit's apprenticeship—dissatisfaction with his trade—joins an expedition to Santa Fe—surgical operation—Santa Fe, its situation, business, style of buildings, water, appearance, altitude, scenery, population—spends the winter at Taos—learns the Spanish language—joins a party bound to Missouri—returns to Santa Fe—becomes a teamster—El Paso, its grape culture, style of living of its people, name—youth of traveler—new occupation for the winter—becomes interpreter for a trader. | 13 | | CHAPTER II. | | Chihuahua, cathedral, statues, public buildings, convent, mint, trade, age, population—Carson longs for the prairie—changes employment—returns to Taos—joins a party of hunters and trappers to punish the Indians—result of the affray—Indian style of fighting—method of trapping for beaver—beaver signs—setting the traps—bait—fastening the traps—caution in setting the traps. | 21 | | CHAPTER III. | | Carson's qualifications for a trapper—starts for California—desert in the route—Mohave Indians, non-intercourse with whites, appearance, dress, ornaments, painting their bodies, money—Mission San Gabriel, cattle, horses, sheep, mules, vineyards, income—other Missions in California, when founded, laborers—Missions of Upper California—Missionary subscriptions—management of the fund—Commandante-general—the Monks—golden age of the Missions. | 29 | | CHAPTER IV. | | New Mexico and Arizona—their desert prairies—Carson in California—traps on the San Joaquin—the valley of the Sacramento. | 40 | | CHAPTER V. | | The Digger Indians, a description of them, and their mode of living—Carson's visit to a ranche in search of a cow—his journey to the camp with his prize. | 45 | | CHAPTER VI. | | Carson at the Mission San Gabriel—recovers sixty stolen horses after a fight with the Indians—"Los Angelos"—climate of California. | 54 | | CHAPTER VII. | | Visit to a ranche—likes California, but likes buffalo better—leaves Los Angelos, and traps on the Colorado—in a tight place, but gets out of it. | 66 | | CHAPTER VIII. | | Trapping with Young upon the Colorado—captures cattle and horses from the Indians—goes to Santa Fe, disposes of furs, and sows his wild oats—coureurs des bois, travels, dress, habits—joins Mr. Fitzpatrick trapping among the Nez Perces—winters in the New Park—punishes the Crow Indians for horse-stealing—pursues and punishes robbers of a cache—flies from a party of sixty Indians. | 76 | | CHAPTER IX. | | Hunts with two companions—saving his money—trading with Captain Lee—pursues an Indian horse-thief and recovers the horses without assistance—traps on the Laramie—fight with two grizzlies—description of the grizzly bear, his food—traps among the Blackfeet—unsuccessful attempt to chastise Blackfeet horse-thieves—Carson is wounded—Bridger's pursuit without finding them. | 83 | | CHAPTER X. | | Carson, recovered, attends summer rendezvous on Green River—description of the rendezvous—camp, traders, charges—British Fur Company—the Indians bringing in furs—appearance of Montreal at a fair for the Indians—trappers and traders from the States—purchases of the trappers, necessaries, luxuries, Indian wife. | 93 | | CHAPTER XI. | | Green River rendezvous again—the backwoodsman—Carson the peace-maker—Sherman the bully, his punishment—cause of the duel—trapping and parley with the Blackfeet—on Humboldt River—explores the desert—discovers the river afterwards named for him. | 101 | | CHAPTER XII. | | Dreary prospect on the Humboldt—Humboldt Lake—sinks of other rivers—overflow of Humboldt Lake and River—station at the sink, the traders—Humboldt Indians—Fourth of July on the Humboldt—Humboldt sinking—land available for agriculture on this river. | 109 | | CHAPTER XIII. | | Carson on the Humboldt—sufferings of the return party—Pyramid Circle—a horse purchased for food—buffalo hunt, meat jerked—horses stolen by the Indians—extent of buffalo ranges—buffalo upon the Platte in 1857, numbers, trails crossing the river, animals killed. | 116 | | CHAPTER XIV. | | Carson traps with a party of a hundred in the Blackfeet country—winter camp among the Crows—Indian lodges—winter life of the trappers—fight with the Blackfeet—Carson saves the life of a friend, dislodges the Indians from a rocky fastness, and compels their flight—no more molestation—the rendezvous—trade with the Navajos Indians—fort at Brown's Hole—goes again against the Blackfeet, a thousand warriors assemble, retire without an engagement—traps on the Salmon River—among the Blackfeet, another fight, leaves their country—Chinook and Flathead Indians—process of flattening the head. | 126 | | CHAPTER XV. | | Carson continues trapping—the trade becomes unprofitable—war of extermination upon the beaver, silk for hats prevents—Carson's experience enables him to aid one who should explore in behalf of science—knowledge of the country—comes to Bent's Fort, forsaking trapp
|   |
|
