d to show the
first sign of a beaver and they had their labor for their pains. The
toil of climbing the mountain peak was so severe that the hunters
concluded to take the longer route home. Their steeds had been pushed so
hard, that they were permitted to set their own pace on the return.
This naturally enough was a deliberate walk, while their riders talked,
laughed, jested and occasionally made some remark on the magnificent
scenery by which they were surrounded. There was no call for haste, and
they knew nothing of what had taken place in camp after their departure;
otherwise, they might have felt more impatience to rejoin their friends.

All at once, the hunters descried four Indian warriors in the path in
front. They were splendidly mounted, their hair ornamented with stained
eagle feathers, their ugly countenances daubed with yellow, black and
crimson paint, and they were fully armed. Their appearance showed they
were on the war path.

Such undoubtedly being the case, a sight of the braves was a challenge
to the hunters who accepted it without a second's hesitation.

Pausing not a moment to consult on their plan of action, Kit and his
companions spurred their horses to a dead run, with the purpose of
bringing them within range of their rifles, but the steeds of the dusky
foes were fleet of foot and they sped away like the wind.

The pursuit was a furious one, until the flying fugitives shot by a
hill, when more than fifty warriors similarly mounted and accoutred,
dashed out to intercept the enthusiastic hunters. Just then it dawned
upon Kit and his companions that the whole proceeding was a trap
arranged by the Indians into which he and his friends had dashed at
headlong speed.

It was in such crises that Kit Carson displayed his marvelous resources
and lightning-like perception of the best course to adopt. The discovery
of the ambush would have thrown almost any company of men, no matter
how brave into a panic, or at least into temporary confusion which would
have been equally disastrous. Most probably they would have reined up or
wheeled about and fled in the opposite direction. The whole band would
have dashed in pursuit and the running fight between four men and more
than twelve times their number, every one of whom it is fair to presume
was thoroughly familiar with the country, could have resulted in but one
way. Skilled and daring as were Carson and his comrades, they could
not accomplish the impossible