CHAPTER I. PAGE Hero of the narrative -- from what race descended -- his fame -- theater of his exploits-nativity -- his father emigrates to Missouri -- father's occupation -- Kit's apprenticeship -- dissatisfaction with his trade -- joins an expedition to Santa Fe -- surgical operation -- Santa Fe, its situation, business, style of buildings, water, appearance, altitude, scenery, population -- spends the winter at Taos -- learns the Spanish language -- joins a party bound to Missouri -- returns to Santa Fe -- becomes a teamster -- El Paso, its grape culture, style of living of its people, name -- youth of traveler -- new occupation for the winter -- becomes interpreter for a trader. 13 CHAPTER II. Chihuahua, cathedral, statues, public buildings, convent, mint, trade, age, population -- Carson longs for the prairie -- changes employment -- returns to Taos -- joins a party of hunters and trappers to punish the Indians -- result of the affray -- Indian style of fighting -- method of trapping for beaver -- beaver signs -- setting the traps -- bait -- fastening the traps -- caution in setting the traps. 21 CHAPTER III. Carson's qualifications for a trapper -- starts for California -- desert in the route -- Mohave Indians, non-intercourse with whites, appearance, dress, ornaments, painting their bodies, money -- Mission San Gabriel, cattle, horses, sheep, mules, vineyards, income -- other Missions in California, when founded, laborers -- Missions of Upper California -- Missionary subscriptions -- management of the fund -- Commandante-general -- the Monks -- golden age of the Missions. 29 CHAPTER IV. New Mexico and Arizona -- their desert prairies -- Carson in California -- traps on the San Joaquin -- the valley of the Sacramento. 40 CHAPTER V. The Digger Indians, a description of them, and their mode of living -- Carson's visit to a ranche in search of a cow -- his journey to the camp with his prize. 45 CHAPTER VI. Carson at the Mission San Gabriel -- recovers sixty stolen horses after a fight with the Indians -- "Los Angelos" -- climate of California. 54 CHAPTER VII. Visit to a ranche -- likes California, but likes buffalo better -- leaves Los Angelos, and traps on the Colorado -- in a tight place, but gets out of it. 66 CHAPTER VIII.