102 TRAPPINC IN IOWA 1865-6. 
The stream of Mill creek had been selected by Com- 
stock from his knowledge of the numerous beaver dams 
that backed one upon the other for twenty miles or more 
affording a tempting lure to the glummy and merciless 
trappers, who had allowed their better nature to be sub- 
verted to such a pursuit that bred only misery and de- 
struction without any redeeming part to justify the con- 
tinuance of such a life. 
After the selection of a camp site anda visit to the 
beaver dams, filled as they were with animal life, we pre- 
pared our traps and marked out the line converging by 
centre to the camp. 
Two or three days later, after assisting to put out a few 
traps,my partner surprised me by saying. that, as the 
weather was now favorable. and traveling good,he thought 
it better that he return to Correctionville for more sup- 
plies,thinking we might need them. So bright and early 
the next morning, partner and team were rattling over the 
prairie divide toward the Little Sioux Valley. He did 
not return for two months after, and then left behind him 
the much needed‘‘grub” box. 
Nothing was now left for meto do but buckle down to 
a professional trapper’s life. Not knowing what fur was 
on the lead, I set out a diversified line. But the net 
result seemed to be a specialty in wild ducks. Almost 
every morning I founda dozen or more of these fowls, 
dead in the traps. The beaver dams were literally covered 
with them, having come in from their nesting places to 
gather, before commencing their southward flight. 
For the first time I realized the lonesomeness of a 
trapper’s life, and in my journey to and fro to the traps, 
gave free reign to my mind as I viewed my surround- 
