He had a strong character.

Whatever he undertook, he quietly and without any boasting performed.

With sound judgment, and endowed with singular strength and elasticity, he was even then deemed equal to any man in all the requirements of frontier life.
[Illustration] At a short distance from the fort there was a saddler, and Mr.Carson, with the advice of friends, decided to apprentice his son, now called Kit, to learn that trade.

The boy remained in this employment for two weary years.

Though faithful to every duty, and gaining the respect and confidence of his employer, the work was uncongenial to him.