Of the former Bridger "lowed it was too highfalutin fer him, and he did not like that Pullstuff anyway ; he thought too much of lager beer." Munchausen's stories struck him as "a leetle too big," but when his own stories were repeated to him, he said, "well, maybe they air too big too," with a twinkle in his eye. These and similar discussions continued while the two remained in the mountains, and after the two years the only genuine affection by the lord at parting from his hunting companions, was shown as he bade farewell to old Jim Bridger.

The period of the trapper was passing fast. The beaver had lost his prestige in the world

of fashion and silk had taken its place, the prices of ermine and otter had fallen. The big migration which at this time was pouring through the valley of the Flat Water, changed the habit but not the vocation of the class.

Thousands of buffalo fell before the trapper and thousands of hides were shipped annually to St. Louis. In one year, 1847, the American Fur Company shipped from Fort Mitchell, then just being established as Fort Fontenelle, and from Fort Laramie, then soon to be transferred to the government, forty-seven thousand buffalo robes.

Fort Mitchell was the last trading post of the American Fur Company, and remained their property until 1864, when it was sold to the Northwest Fur Company, of St. Paul. This company was organized by J. B. Hubbell and associates.