s and not by any fear of their
visitors. Whether they desired to avoid a fight or not can only be
conjectured, but they finally sent back to where the horses were
tethered and caused five of the worst to be picked out and brought
forward.

When the trappers inquired the meaning of this proceeding, the Indians
said that it was the best they could do and the hunters must be content.

This last insult was the spark which exploded the magazine. Instantly
every white man ran for his gun, and the Blackfeet did the same. A few
seconds after they wheeled about and the sanguinary fight began.

Kit Carson and a companion were the first to obtain their guns and as
a consequence they led the advance. Each selected a warrior who was
partially hidden by the trunk of a tree. Carson was in the act of
firing, when he observed that his friend was examining the lock of his
gun all unmindful of the fact that one of the Blackfeet had levelled his
weapon directly at his breast. On the instant, Kit changed his aim and
shot the savage dead, thereby saving the life of his friend, who could
not have escaped had the weapon of his adversary been discharged.

CHAPTER XII.

Carson Badly Wounded--A Drawn Battle--An Ineffectual Pursuit--The Summer
Rendezvous--Carson's Duel.

This act of chivalry on the part of Carson simply transferred the peril
of his friend to himself, for the Indian whom he had selected for his
target was carefully sighting at him, at the very moment the gun was
discharged. Kit saw what was coming and bounded to one side in the hope
of dodging the bullet. Quick as he was, however, he did not entirely
succeed, though the act doubtless saved his life. The ball from
the rifle of his adversary grazed his neck and buried itself in his
shoulder, shattering the head of one of the bones.

Carson though badly hurt, did not fall or retreat. On the contrary, he
tried desperately to reload his gun, but found it impossible to raise
his arm. He was hors de combat beyond all question, and bleeding so
fast that his weakness compelled him to lie down on the ground while
the conflict went on about him. The fight was very hot for a time,
the result being what may be called a drawn battle, with the advantage
inclining to the side of the Indians. The trappers fell back to the
safest place that presented itself and went into camp. They dared not
start a fire; for they knew it would bring an attack from the Indians,
but wrapping their sad