Joined by a trapping party under Bridger, Kit went to the rendezvous of the Rocky Mountain trappers on Green River. There were about two hundred men in this big camp, which was for the purpose of selling their furs and buying supplies. The trading being done, Kit joined a trapping company journeying into the Blackfoot country at the head of the Missouri River. But the redskins made such determined and persistent attacks that the party was forced to retire from their country. They fell back to the Big Snake River, where they wintered. But the Blackfeet still held the trail; in a desperate battle with this dangerous tribe Kit was seriously wounded in saving the life of a comrade named Markhead; in this fight the savages received a terrible beating. The spring season was a most fortunate one; beaver was very plentiful and their taking of the fur was rich. Kit’s wound got well rapidly, thanks to his strong constitution, and he was soon able to set his traps with the rest of them. The long journeys through the wilderness to Taos and Santa Fé were too great a strain upon both horses and men; the dangers of the journey were too grave to be undertaken several times a year; and so the big trading camp on Green River grew very popular with the trappers. So, the season being over, the different companies all headed toward this station; the one which Kit Carson was with among them. As the ponies pranced along the long street of the camp, and the pack animals moved more soberly under their burden of furs, the bronzed trappers waved their coonskin caps and shouted joyously to friends whom they recognized by the way. This great fair of the Rocky Mountain trappers occupied quite a beautiful site; circling it were the giant hills, crowned with mighty forests; the huts of the trappers and traders were built among the trees; some were after the fashion of Indian lodges, others were of bark and poles and sod. But the traders had structures of hewn logs to hold their stores. Kit rode through the camp, speaking to his friends among those who came forward to greet the newcomers. He was dismounting when there came a rush of feet and he was seized by two pairs of strong arms. Two enthusiastic voices cried, joyfully: “Here you are, at last!” “We’ve been waiting for you a whole month!” “I knew you’d come, Kit!” “We’re back again; and we’ve got news!” The young trapper wriggled out of the clutch of his assailants; and one look showed him that they were Dave Johnson and Joe Frazier. Gripping their hands in welcome, he cried: “Why, lads, this is a surprise, sure enough! I never expected to see you so soon.” “We came back with the same party we went out with,” said Dave. “We heard at Taos that you were out in this region and that you would probably put in the summer at this trading camp. So there was a chance with a trader helping with the packhorses, and we jumped at it.” “How did you find your father?” asked Kit of Joe.