228 SUBLETTE AND ARMIJO. 



tive trappers in New Mexico, Gov, Baca and 

 his successor (Narbona) thought it expedient 

 to extend Hcenses to foreigners, in the name 

 of citizens, upon condition of their taking 

 a certain proportion of Mexicans to learn the 

 art of trapping. In pursuance of this dispo- 

 sition, Gov. Narbona extended a hcense to 

 one Ewing Young, who was accompanied by 

 a Mr. Sublette, brother of Capt Wm. Sub- 

 lette, and almost equally celebrated for his 

 mountain adventures. Previous to the re- 

 turn of this party from their trapping expe- 

 dition, Armijo had succeeded Narbona in 

 office, and they were informed that it Avas 

 his intention to seize then- furs. To prevent 

 this, they deposited them at a neighboring 

 village, where they were afterwards discover- 

 ed, seized, and confiscated. The furs being 

 damp, they were spread out in the sun before 

 the Guardia, in Santa Fe, when Sublette, 

 perceiving two packs of beaver Avhich had 

 been his own property, got by honest labor, 

 instantly seized them and carried them away 

 before the eyes of the whole garrison, and 

 concealed both them and his own person in 

 a house opposite. The entire military force 

 was immediately put in requisition, and a 

 general search made for the offender and his 

 prize ; but in vain : indeed, if the truth must 

 be spoken, the troops seemed to have as little 

 deshe to find Sublette as the latter had of be- 

 ing found; for his character was too well 

 known to leave any room for hope that his 

 capture could be effected without a ereat dea^ 



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