or peace until the stolen property was returned to its owners. The
Indians still attempted to postpone or evade, but the complainants
were in no mood for trifling and they repeated their declaration
more positively than before.

The Blackfeet were much more numerous than the whites, and confident
of their strength, began to bluster and to assert that whatever
they did would be dictated by their own wishes and not by any fear
of their visitors. Whether they desired to avoid a fight or not
can only be conjectured, but they finally sent back to where the
horses were tethered and caused five of the worst to be picked out
and brought forward.

When the trappers inquired the meaning of this proceeding, the
Indians said that it was the best they could do and the hunters
must be content.

This last insult was the spark which exploded the magazine. Instantly
every white man ran for his gun, and the Blackfeet did the same. A
few seconds after they wheeled about and the sanguinary fight began.

Kit Carson and a companion were the first to obtain their guns and
as a consequence they led the advance. Each selected a warrior who
was partially hidden by the trunk of a tree. Carson was in the act
of firing, when he observed that his friend was examining the lock
of his gun all unmindful of the fact that one of the Blackfeet had
levelled his weapon directly at his breast. On the instant, Kit
changed his aim and shot the savage dead, thereby saving the life
of his friend, who could not have escaped had the weapon of his
adversary been discharged.