“This matter of the map has me on my mettle,” said Kit. “I’m going to see it through now, no matter how long it takes.” They accordingly went out with the traders as far as the Big Snake River. Here they met a Hudson Bay trader named McCoy who had about abandoned his operations because of ill luck, and was about to take up a trapping venture. They joined him, thinking to get finally into the region they desired. But after a series of adventures, one of which saw them on the verge of starvation in a journey to Fort Hall, they were forced back to the Green River once more to await another season. “It’s the last try,” said Dave, soberly. “If we don’t get up into that country this time we’ll have to give it up.” “That’s what I promised dad in the letter I sent off to him yesterday,” said Joe. “One more attempt; and if we fail, we go home.” As the fall grew near there was much talk of expeditions into the far regions; the near-by streams had been trapped so long that the beaver had become very scarce; and if success were desired the hunters must seek new waters. And in the midst of this, Kit one evening came to the lodge which the boys had erected. There was a gleam in his eye which told them that something of a pleasing sort had happened. “Well,” said he, “it looks at last as though we were going to have a chance. An expedition, one hundred strong, is to go as far as the Yellowstone.” “And do we go with them?” asked Dave, leaping up in his excitement. “We do.” Both boys swung their caps in the air and leaped about in a series of acrobatic antics. But Kit sobered them in a moment. “Not only do we go,” said he, “but Shunan goes also.” “Ah!” said Dave; and he sat down in the door of the lodge. “That means something, I should say,” said Joe. “All last season he was laid up with a maimed arm,” said Kit; “and now, as soon as he’s able, he engages for the Blackfoot region. I know he’s specially set on going there, because he refused a number of offers to go out with parties who are to head in other directions.” Shunan was a very much changed man; his manner was subdued, and he gave little or no trouble to the camp. Kit Carson he treated with much respect, and the boys he was careful not to molest. One day, however, shortly before the big expedition was to start, he met them in the camp street. “I hear you’re going up north,” said he. “Yes,” said Joe. “We thought it might be a useful trip--and maybe profitable.” Shunan looked at them with something like his old ferocity. “Take my advice and go somewhere else,” said he, slowly. “It will be a dangerous journey for people looking for anything but beaver fur.” He was about to pass on, but Dave Johnson placed himself in his path. “What do you mean by that?” said he. “Just what I say,” replied the man. “Nothing more and nothing less.”