CHAPTER IX.
The Trapper's Elysium.
Trapping on the Missouri .-- Attacked by the Blackfeet .-- The Battle .-- Persevering Hostility of the Indians .-- The Trappers driven from the Country .-- Repair to the North Fork .-- Cheerful Encampments .-- Enchanting Scene .-- Village of the Flatheads .-- The Blessings of Peace .-- Carson's Knowledge of Languages .-- Pleasant Winter Quarters on the Big Snake River .-- Successful Trapping .-- Winter at Brown's Hole .-- Trip to Fort Bent .-- Peculiar Characters .-- Williams and Mitchel .-- Hunter at Fort Bent .-- Marriage .-- Visit to the States.
Upon the breaking up of the rendezvous at Green river, Kit Carson, with five companions, directed his steps in a northwest course, about two hundred miles to Fort Hall, on Snake river.

He spent the autumnal months trapping along the various streams in this region.

They were very successful on this tour, and at the close of the season returned to the fort with a rich supply of furs.

These forts were generally trading-houses, well fortified and garrisoned, but not governmental military posts.
Here Carson disposed of his furs to good advantage, and after remaining there about a month he crossed the mountains with a large party of trappers to the head waters of the Missouri, thus again entering the country of the Blackfeet.

They struck the Missouri river itself far up among the mountains.