I20 EIvDORADO 



CHAPTER XII. 



HUxMTKR AND TRAPPER. 



As early as 1830 such noted hunters and trappers as 

 Carson, Fitzgerald, Walker, Bent, and, a little later, 

 Bridger, Sublett, Peg-leg Smith, old Bill Williams and 

 others of lesser note had made their headquarters on 

 the banks of the Carson river and grazed tlieir ponies 

 upon the luscious bunch and buffalo grasses that cov- 

 ered the valley and foothills. Here they fought the 

 thieving and hostile redskins, who would rob their 

 traps and steal their horses. On one occasion, a paryt 

 of 30 Indians robbed the trappers at night, driving off a 

 number of their horses. Bridger, with five of his men 

 took up the trail and foiuid the Indians in a wooded 

 canyon with the horses tied to saplings, with the ex- 

 ception of one which they had killed and on which 

 they were preparing to feast, all being grouped about 

 a roaring fire, and thoughtless of danger. Bridger and 

 his men approached to within 50 yards without being 

 discovered and poured in a murderous fire with rifie 

 and pistol, killing 11, the others fleeing in dismay. 

 Cutting their horses loose they returned in safety to 

 camp, having taught the redskins a lesson not soon for- 

 gotten. 



In the spring of 1832, Carson, thinking he could do 

 better traping on his own account, took two men and 

 leaving the party on Carson river, went higher up into 

 the motmtains, thus avoiding Indian troubles and se- 



