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 perilof his friend to himself, for the Indian whom he had selected for histarget was carefully sighting at him, at the very moment the gun wasdischarged. Kit saw what was coming and bounded to one side in the hopeof dodging the bullet. Quick as he was, however, he did not entirelysucceed, though the act doubtless saved his life. The ball fromthe rifle of his adversary grazed his neck and buried itself in hisshoulder, shattering the head of one of the bones.
Carson though badly hurt, did not fall or retreat. On the contrary, hetried desperately to reload his gun, but found it impossible to raisehis arm. He was hors de combat beyond all question, and bleeding sofast that his weakness compelled him to lie down on the ground whilethe 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 advantageinclining to the side of the Indians. The trappers fell back to thesafest place that presented itself and went into camp. They dared notstart a fire; for they knew it would bring an attack from the Indians,but wrapping their saddle blankets around them, they bore the intensecold as best they could.
The sufferings of Carson were great. His wounds continued bleeding andfroze upon the dressings, which were of the most primitive character.And yet not once through those hours of anguish did he utter a word ofcomplaint. Many a strong man would have cried out in his agony, but onemight have sat within arm's length of the mountaineer without knowing hewas hurt at all.
More than that, Carson took his part in the council which was held inthe cold and darkness. The conclusion reached was that the party oftrappers were not strong enough to pursue the Blackfeet, and the propercourse to pursue was to rejoin the main body and report what had beendone. It would then be time enough to decide upon their future action.
When this programme was carried out, a larger party of hunters underthe lead of an experienced mountaineer resumed the pursuit; but nothingcould be found of the savages. They had utilized the grace allowedthem so well that it was impossible to overtake or trace them, and theindignant trappers were obliged to submit to their loss.
The severe cold moderated, and, as spring was close at hand the hunterspushed their trapping operations along the Green and Snake Rivers,meeting with unbounded success. They gathered more peltries than theyhad dared to hope for, and when warm weather approached, went intoquarters where they remained until the following fall, a party oftraders having brought them all the supplies they needed.
The rugged constitution of Carson and his temperate habits caused himspeedily to recover from his severe wound. He again became the active,vigilant, keen witted guide and hunter who was looked up to by all asthe most consummate master of woodcraft that had ever been known in thewest.
Such a large party as were gathered at the summer rendezvous was certainto include many varieties of people. The frank, brave and open hearted,the sly and treacherous, the considerate and courteous, the quarrelsomeand overbearing--indeed the temperaments of the individuals composingthe company were as varied as it is possible to imagine.
Among them was a powerful Frenchman known as Captain Shunan. He had wonhis title by hard fighting, possessed a magnificent physique, was braveand skilled in the use of arms, and was the most quarrelsome individualin camp. It is impossible to picture a more irascible and disagreeablepersonage than Captain Shunan, who appeared to spend all his sparetime in trying to provoke quarrels with those around him. Sometimes hesucceeded, but more often his insolence was submitted to by men as braveas he, but who wished to avoid trouble with him.
The activity and strength of the Frenchman were so great that a skilfulpugilist would have found difficulty in handling him. The only groundupon which he could be met with anything like fairness was wherefirearms were used.
On one of these occasions, the bully became unbearable in his behavior.He knocked down several weak and inoffensive persons, and swaggered backand forth through camp, boasting that he could trounce any one there. Inthe midst of his bluster, Carson walked up in front of him and said in avoice loud enough to be heard by those around:
"Captain Shunan, there are plenty here who can easily chastise you, butthey prefer to submit to your impudence for the sake of peace: however,we have had enough and now I notify you to stop at once or I shall killyou!"
These were astounding words, and, as may be supposed, when uttered bya man six inches shorter and many pounds lighter than the blusteringCaptain, they fairly took away his breath. Carson spoke in his quiet,soft voice, as though there was not the least cause for excitement;but those who knew him, noted the flash of his clear, gray eye andunderstood his deadly earnestness.
Captain Shunan was infuriated by the words of Carson. As soon as hecould recover himself, he turned about and without speaking a word,walked to his quarters. Kit did not need be told what that meant. Hedid the same, walking to his own lodge, from which he speedily emergedholding a single barrel pistol. He was so anxious to be on the ground intime, that he caught up the first weapon that presented itself.
Almost at the same moment, Captain Shunan appeared with his rifle.Carson observed him, and, though he could have secured withoutdifficulty a similar weapon, he did not do so. He was willing to givehis burly antagonist the advantage, if it should prove such. The othertrappers as may be supposed, watched the actions of the two men withbreathless interest. The quarrel had taken such a course that theywere convinced that one or the other of the combatants would be killed.Captain Shunan had been so loud in his boasts that he did not dareswallow the insult, put on him by the fragile Kit Carson. Had he doneso, he would have been hooted out of camp and probably lynched.
As for Kit, his courage was beyond suspicion. He feared no man and wassure to acquit himself creditably no matter in what circumstances he wasplaced. He was the most popular member of the large company, while hisantagonist was the most detested; but the love of fair play was suchthat no one would interfere, no matter how great the need for doing so.
The duellists, as they may be called, mounted each his horse andcircling about the plain, speedily headed toward each other and dashedforward on a dead run. As they approached, they reined up and haltedface to face, within arm's length.
Looking his antagonist straight in the eye, Carson demanded:
"Are you looking for me?"
"Have you any business with me?"
"No," growled the savage Frenchman; but, while the words were in hismouth, brought his rifle to his shoulder, and, pointing it at the breastof Carson, pulled the trigger; but Kit expected some such treacherousact, and, before the gun could be fired, he threw up his pistol anddischarged it as may be said, across the barrel of the leveled weapon.
The ball broke the forearm of Captain Shunan, at the very moment hedischarged his gun. The shock diverted the aim so that the bullet grazedhis scalp, inflicting a trifling wound; but the combatants were so closethat the powder of the rifle scorched the face of the mountaineer.
Captain Shunan had been badly worsted, and was disabled for weeksafterward. He accepted his fate without complaint and was effectuallycured of his overbearing manner toward his associates.
The Life of Kit Carson: Hunter, Trapper, Guide, Indian Agent and Colonel U.S.A. Page 12
