"Your offer is a kind one," said Carson much touched by the words
of his young friend; "but nothing in the world would induce me to
leave you. We will stick together and if we must die, why let's
each take a warrior with us."

The leading warrior sauntered toward the couple, while they were
hastily consulting together, after the manner of one who felt he was
master of the situation. A broad grin stretched across his painted
face, as he extended one hand to salute Carson, while he reached for
his rifle with the other. Just as his fingers were closing around
the weapon of the mountaineer, the latter struck him a violent blow
in the face, which sent him staggering several paces backward. The
other Utahs instantly ran forward to the help of their comrade.

When they were within a few rods, Carson brought his gun to his
shoulder and peremptorily ordered them to halt. They hesitated, as
if uncertain what to do, when he told them that if they advanced
another step or made any hostile demonstration, both he and his
companion would fire. They would be sure of hitting two of the
warriors, when it would become something like an even fight, with
two on each side, and with the prospect that the red men might
suffer still further.

But the Indians were not to be bluffed in such an easy fashion.
They brandished their guns, shook powder in the pans and talked
boastingly of what they meant to do. They were double the number
of their enemies and they would teach them how brave Utah warriors
were.