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
peril of his friend to himself, for the Indian whom he had selected
for his target was carefully sighting at him, at the very moment
the gun was discharged. Kit saw what was coming and bounded to one
side in the hope of dodging the bullet. Quick as he was, however,
he did not entirely succeed, though the act doubtless saved his
life. The ball from the rifle of his adversary grazed his neck and
buried itself in his shoulder, shattering the head of one of the
bones.

Carson though badly hurt, did not fall or retreat. On the contrary,
he tried desperately to reload his gun, but found it impossible
to raise his arm. He was hors de combat beyond all question, and
bleeding so fast that his weakness compelled him to lie down on the
ground while the 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 advantage inclining to the side of the Indians. The trappers
fell back to the safest place that presented itself and went into
camp. They dared not start a fire; for they knew it would bring an
attack from the Indians, but wrapping their saddle blankets around
them, they bore the intense cold as best they could.