western slopes.

The expedition which this enterprising fur-trader was

conducting was one of the first that ever penetrated

these wild regions in search of furs. The ground over

which they travelled was quite new to them, and having

no guide they just moved about at haphazard, encamping

on the margin of every stream or river on which

signs of the presence of beaver were discovered, and

setting their traps.

Beaver skins at this time were worth 25s. a-piece in