dversary. The fact that his shot struck first and hit Captain
Shunan's right arm is sufficient proof of this. When Kit Carson's
well-known and indisputable skill with all kinds of fire-arms is taken
into the account; and that, notwithstanding this skill, he hit his
adversary in one of only two places (his right or left arms) which
would have rendered his aim with the rifle uncertain, the statement
that Kit Carson did not intend to kill his adversary becomes an
incontrovertible fact. Last, had Kit Carson not gained a second in
advance in the firing, he would have lost his own life, inevitably;
and, the emphatic "No!" the lie of his antagonist, would have been
crowned with success. Such plain deception seldom is allowed to
triumph by an all-wise Providence.

In judging Kit Carson in this matter, the reader will commit an
ungenerous error if he fails to allow to be placed, in the balance of
judgment, the stirring deeds and daily hair-breadth risks Kit Carson,
during so many years of his eventful life, was constantly called upon
to take a part in and undergo. We take leave of this unfortunate scene
in his life, feeling confident a just public opinion will see in it no
cause to pluck from the brow of Kit Carson any of the laurels which it
has been called upon to place there. As a man of truth, honor, virtue,
and reverence for the laws of his country, Kit Carson has few equals
and no superior among Americans. It needed not this incident to
establish his courage; that had long been proven to be undoubted. Nor
did the result elate his feelings in the least. He met his companions
without a smile, and invariably expressed his regrets that he felt it
to be his duty, for the good order and peace of the camp, to interfere
in the matter. On the other hand, when he espoused the cause of the
majority in maintaining the right, he was not a man to be easily
thwarted. When the affair was ended, Kit was congratulated and
received the thanks of nearly every individual present; for, each felt
that a load of most vexatious and troublesome responsibility had been
taken from his shoulders. The good fellowship immediately introduced
into the camp was also a circumstance of mark.

The wounded man was carried to his quarters and every attention shown
him in the power of his companions. His punishment had the effect
completely to subdue him.

These duels among the old trappers of the Rocky Mountains were not
very unfrequent occurrences. Men, sit