ee ee 
TRAPPING IN IOWA 1865-6. 103 
ings of unpeopled lands, and barring an occasional 
trip to the settlement, fourteen miles away in which a 
glimpse of Cherokee and its frowning stockade and half 
dozen houses, did much to release the mind of the 
tediousness and sameness in the rounds of the trap line. 
Such journeys were not of a fagging nature to the lone- 
some trapper, who frequently unbraided himself for the 
temptations that had beckoned him on to such a disre- 
putable calling. 
After three weeks of solitary life, the monotony was 
broken one day by the appearance of two horsemen. It 
was the corporal commanding the fort at Cherokee, and 
a trapper guide. The brusque young commander soon 
~ announced his business. Garrison life was somewhat irk- 
some, and by way of diversion from its onerous duties, 
and some hope in the profits likely to accrue therefrom, 
he had concluded to buy furs. 
He assured me further,that the latest reports from the 
London fur sales placed mink in the lead, and with no 
wish to take advantage of my possible ignorance of the 
market, as a starter he would give, for good prime skins, 
ten dollars each for all I had ready, and the latest New 
York fur quotations on all other prime hides and furs in 
my possession. 
After Comstock’s departure, my company consisted of 
two young fox hounds and the camp pony. A distemper 
shortly after killed the dogs, leaving me alone with the 
faithful little nag. I often clambered a neighbouring 
butte, saying with the redoubtable Robinson Crusoe :— 
‘‘Tam lord of all I survey 
My rights there are none to dispute, 
From.the center all around to the sea 
I am lord of both fowl and the brute—” 
