partially set. Having become freed, however, before it was fully set,
it came down and fired the gun. The contents of the barrel were sent
through the man's arm. No member of the expedition was conversant with
surgical knowledge. Here was an occasion to shake the nerves of any
feeling man; and, beneath the rough exterior of the western ranger,
there runs as deep a stream of true humanity as can be found anywhere
on the American continent. Every suggestion was offered and every
effort was put forth which heart feeling chained to anxiety and the
terrible necessity, could offer. Every remedy which promised a good
result was duly weighed; and, if pronounced worthy of trial, it was
adopted. The sufferer had kind, though rough nurses; but, the absence
of scientific skill, under such emergency, proved a sad want for the
unfortunate man. Notwithstanding their united efforts, Broader's arm
grew alarmingly worse. It soon became manifest to all that he must
part with his arm, or lose his life; perhaps both. At this critical
period, a consultation was held, in which the suffering patient
joined. Due deliberation was extended to all the symptoms. The giving
of advice in such a council by men who could only give judgment from
an imaginary stand-point, must strike the heart of true sympathy
as having been painful in no ordinary degree. After every possible
argument had been offered in favor of saving the arm, the final
decision of the council was that it must come off. The next difficulty
which presented itself was quite as formidable as the expression of
a correct judgment. Who should perform the office of surgeon, was the
knotty question? Again the consultations became exciting and intensely
painful. The members of the council, however, took it upon themselves
to designate the persons, and chose Carson with two others. These
immediately set at work to execute their sad but necessary task. The
arrangements were all hastily, but carefully made, and the cutting
begun. The instruments used were a razor, an old saw; and, to arrest