CHAPTER IV. 



LA BONTJE and his companions proceeded up the river, 

 the Black Hills on their left hand, from which several 

 small creeks or feeders swell the waters of the North 

 Fork. Along these they hunted unsuccessfully for beaver 

 " sign," and it was evident the spring hunt had almost 

 exterminated the animal in this vicinity. Following 

 Deer Creek to the ridge of the Black Hills, they crossed 

 the mountain on to the waters of the Medicine Bow, 

 and here they discovered a few lodges, and La Bonte 

 set his first trap. He and old Luke finding " cuttings" 

 near the camp, followed the "sign" along the bank, 

 until the practised eye of the latter discovered a " slide," 

 where the beaver had ascended the bank to chop the 

 trunk of a cotton wood, and convey the bark to its 

 lodge. Taking a trap from " sack," the old hunter, 

 after setting the trigger, placed it carefully under the 

 water, where the " slide " entered the stream, securing 

 the chain to the stem of a sapling on the bank ; while 

 a stick, also attached to the trap by a thong, floated 

 down the stream, to mark the position of the trap, 

 should the animal carry it away. A little further on, 

 and near another " run," three traps were set ; and 

 over these Luke placed a little stick, which he first 



