Scarcely ever did I wish to exchange such hours of freedom for all the luxuries of civilized life.

Such are the fascinations of the life of the mountain hunter that I believe that not one instance could be adduced of even the most polished and civilized of men, who had once tasted the sweets of its attendant liberty and freedom from every worldly care, not sighing once more to partake of its pleasures and allurements.
"A hunter's camp in the Rocky mountains is quite a picture.

It is invariably made in a picturesque locality.

Nothing can be more social and cheering than the welcome blaze of the camp fire on a cold winter's night." Young Carson, alone with his horse and mule, would journey from fifty to a hundred miles, examining every creek and stream, keeping a sharp lookout for signs of beaver.

Having selected his location, generally in some valley eight or ten miles in extent, with a winding stream circling through the centre, which he had reason to believe was well stocked with beaver, he would choose a position for his camp.