place where he parted with his Indian companion, Kit discovered the
chase. His pace now became tremendous. The wily savage had descried
him almost at the same instant that he was discovered by Kit, and
instantly prepared for a desperate encounter. With this object in
view, the savage turned to seek a cover from whence he could fire upon
his adversary and reload long before he should himself become exposed
to a shot. The rascal's plan was good enough, but he was too slow in
its execution to overcome Kit's activity. Kit had unslung his rifle as
soon as he saw his enemy. Anticipating the object of the savage, he,
instantly, covered him with his rifle. His horse was now at full speed
and he was rapidly nearing the Indian. At the moment he discovered
that the Indian had reached his cover and before he could take
advantage of it, without relaxing his horse's speed, he fired. The
ball from Carson's rifle was so well directed that the Indian, as it
struck him, gave one bound and then fell dead in his tracks. At the
same instant the rascal's rifle went off with a sharp report, sending
a bullet whizzing at some distance from the line of Carson's approach.
The fact of the Indian's rifle being fired at all is a sufficient
explanation of what was his intent, had his career not been so
suddenly cut short, thereby preventing its fulfillment.

The words of an old trapper are here very much to the point. The
author was, on a fitting occasion, questioning him in regard to Kit
Carson's capabilities with the rifle. Said he: "If a man has a serious
quarrel with Kit Carson, he had better not let him get the _first
sight over his rifle_; for, if he succeeds in this, his adversary is
as good as dead."

An intimate acquaintance and tried friendship with Kit Carson has,
since then, repeatedly furnished occasions which have confirmed this