tunate that just at
that moment there came a lull in the furious fighting, else Carson could
scarcely have escaped so well. The runaway horse was pursued by one
of the mountaineers who finally cornered and brought him back to their
leader.

The Blackfeet did not follow the whites, nor did the latter return to
their charge against them. Both parties had gained a thorough taste of
each other's mettle, and the conclusion reached was like that of two
trained pugilists--their strength was so nearly equal that neither could
afford to throw away his advantage by leading in the assault.

Undoubtedly Carson and his men would have withdrawn but for the hope
that the reserves were close at hand. The trappers had fought valiantly
but not more so than the Indians, who still possessed plenty ammunition
while that of the whites was nearly exhausted. Had they advanced and
encountered the warriors again, the latter would have swept everything
before them. As it was, the mountaineers were by no means safe even when
acting on the defensive. If the red men should charge upon them with
their old time fierceness, it was by no means certain they would
not destroy the whites. The fight would necessarily be of the most
sanguinary nature, but when guns and small arms were useless for lack
of ammunition, nothing short of a miracle could save them from
annihilation.

Several hours had gone and Carson and his men wondered what could delay
the reserves. Time always passes slowly to those in waiting, and to some
of the hunters the tardiness of their friends was unaccountable. Carson
was on the point of sending messengers back to hurry them forward, when
the whole party appeared and the situation changed.

But those who expected the Blackfeet to flee in panic when they observed
the doubling of the assailing forces, were much mistaken. The feeling
among the Indians could not be described as in the least "panicky."
They quietly surveyed the new arrivals and prepared with the coolness
of veterans for the conflict that was sure to come, within the next few
minutes.

The powder was distributed among the trappers, who were more eager than
ever to attack their old enemies, who were as ready as they for the
conflict. Nearly two hundred yards separated the combatants, when
the mountaineers, leaving their horses behind, advanced on foot. The
Blackfeet stationed themselves behind rocks and trees and defiantly
awaited the attack.

In a few minutes the mos