“A hunter, named Shunan, a Frenchman, who was well known by the title of the ‘big bully of the mountains,’ mounted his horse with a loaded rifle, and dashing defiantly around, challenged any person, of any nationality, to meet him in single combat.  He boasted of his exploits, and used the most insulting and irritating language, and was particularly insolent and abusive towards Americans, whom he described as only worth being whipped with switches.  Kit Carson was in the crowd, and his patriotic spirit kindled at the taunt.  He at once stepped forward and said, ’I am an American, the most trifling one among them, but if you wish to die, I will accept your challenge.’  Shunan defied him.  Carson at once leaped upon his horse, with a loaded pistol, and both dashed into close conflict.  They fired, almost at the same moment, but Carson an instant the quickest.  Their horses’ heads touched.  Shunan’s ball just grazed Carson’s cheek, near the left eye, and cut off some locks of his hair.  Carson’s ball entered Shunan’s hand, came out at the wrist, and passed through his arm above the elbow.  The bully begged his life, and it was spared.

“This put an effectual stop to all such insolent proceedings, and Americans were insulted no longer.  Carson is still living, being yet, indeed, in his prime.  His faithful commander has recorded his name on the geography of the continent, by calling after him a river and a lake, in the great basin they explored together.”

CHAPTER V.

The Fall Hunt—­McCoy of the Hudson’s Bay Company organizes a Trapping Party which Kit Carson joins—­The Hunt—­Scarcity of Beaver on Humboldt River—­The Party is divided—­Kit Carson with a majority of the Men goes to Fort Hall—­Hardships and Privations met with—­Buffalo Hunt—­All their Animals stolen in the Night by a Party of Blackfeet Indians—­Arrival of McCoy from Fort Walla Walla—­The Rendezvous—­Kit Carson joins a strong Band—­The Small Pox among the Blackfeet Indians—­The Crow Indians on good terms with the Whites—­Intense Cold—­Immense Herds of Buffalo—­Danger of their goring to death the Horses—­The Spring Hunt—­The Blackfeet Indian Village overtaken—­A desperate Fight with these Indians—­The Rendezvous—­Sir William Stuart and a favorite Missionary—­Kit Carson goes an a Trading Expedition to the Navajoe Indians—­The Return—­He accepts the post of Hunter of the Trading Post at Brown’s Hole.

Arrangements for the fall hunt were now in active progress among the trappers.  Though the reader may find some similarity of fact and idea as we progress in this part of the Life of Kit Carson, the interest which hangs about it, nevertheless, will not, or should not be dampened, because this pen-painting of his long and active experience is a better and more faithful exhibit of those qualifications, knowledge and skill which afterwards made him, first the guide and then the bosom friend of the illustrious Fremont, than any assertions whether authenticated by published record, whether rested upon statement on knowledge, information and belief of acquaintances and friends, or, whether facts taken from the thousand allusions to his exploits which have from time to time flooded the press of the United States.