n for a clump of trees
between him and his pursuer. The latter understood his purpose on the
instant. If the Indian could secure the shelter of the grove, he would
have his enemy at his mercy; for not only would he be able to protect
his body, while loading and firing, but Carson himself, being in an open
space, would be without the slightest protection against his deadly aim.

Carson cocked his rifle and driving his spurs into the flanks of his
high spirited steed, charged at full speed for the same shelter. Whoever
should reach it first would be the master.

The Indian had much less distance to run, and was as fleet of foot as
a deer. He bounded forward with such tremendous strides, that while the
horseman was still some distance away, he plunged in among the trees;
but for the last few seconds the foes had approached each other at a
terrific pace, a result that was not only inevitable, but desirable, to
the pursuer.

The very second the savage arrived on the margin of the grove, he made a
leap for the nearest tree from behind which he meant to shoot his enemy;
but in the very act of doing so, he was smitten by his bullet. Without
checking his animal in the slightest, Carson had aimed and fired.

The death screech of the savage rang out, as he leaped in the air and
tumbled prostrate to the earth, killed by the shot that was unerring in
its accuracy. The Indian himself was so near firing his gun, that his
piece was also discharged, the ball whizzing harmlessly above the head
of his pursuer. A couple of seconds delay on the part of Carson must
have proved fatal to him, for the savage was a good marksman, and was
standing still, with such a brief space intervening, that he could not
have missed. It is hard to conceive of any escape more narrow than that
of the daring mountaineer.

CHAPTER X.

Carson Returns with the Recovered Property--Journey to Snake
River--Starts on a Trapping Expedition with Three Companions--Carson's
Stirring Adventure with Two Grizzly Bears.

Carson gathered the horses together and set out on his return. The
distance was considerable and he was compelled to encamp more than once
on the road, while he was continually exposed to attack from Indians,
but with that remarkable skill and foresight which distinguished him
when a boy, he reached home without the slightest mishap and turned over
the recovered animals to their owner. Some days later, several trappers
entered camp with the st