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"A completely trustworthy account of Rocky Mountain trapping, 1831-35, including experiences with Walker's expedition from Salt Lake to California, 1833, of which it is the chief first-hand authority."--U.S.iana In the spring of 1830, Leonard, a native of Clearfield, Pennsylvania embarked on an expedition across the Rocky Mountains, in the capacity of clerk to the company. One misfortune after another happening to the company, he was deprived of all in the fall of 1835--after an absence of 5 years and 6 months. Written in response to popular demand, Leonard's account of these years, based in large part on 'a minute journal of every incident that occurred,' is recognized as one of the fundamental sources on the exploration of the American West. A free trapper until the summer of 1833, when he entered the employ of Captain B. L. E. Bonneville, Leonard was part of the group sent under command of Captain Joseph Walker to explore the Great Salt Lake region--an expedition that resulted in Walker's finding the overland route to California. The Narrative ends in August 1835, with Leonard's return to Independence. Zenas Leonard (March 19, 1809 - July 14, 1857) was an American mountain man, explorer and trader, best known for his journal Narrative of the Adventures of Zenas Leonard.Leonard worked for his uncle in Pittsburgh before moving to St. Louis and working as a clerk for the fur company, Gannt and Blackwell. In 1831 he went with Gant and Blackwell's company of about 70 men on a trapping and trading expedition. Living off the land (Leonard reported that "The flesh of the Buffaloe is the wholesomest and most palatable of meat kind"), Leonard and his associates endured great privation while amassing a fortune in furs; the horses died in the harsh winter and the party was at times near starvation. They survived, in part, by trading with Native Americans. Among the more helpful tribal members he re