y the savages; hence, it became necessary to take
instant measures in order to insure the safety of the advance. Kit
Carson, who was the commander of the party, after quietly surveying
the scene, gave orders for the men, with their animals, to conceal
themselves, as best they could in the brush. His orders had been
issued but just in time, for the concealment was barely attained, when
the Indians were upon them. They were received with a well-directed
volley from the rifles of the little party, which brought down several
of the fierce assailants. They recoiled and retreated for a moment.
The moment was golden to the few white men. Like men who were fighting
for their lives but who were cool in danger, they made no mistakes
in reloading their rifles. They were but just ready, however, for the
second charge. This time the savages came on with unearthly yells and
desperate courage, seemingly well satisfied that before them stood the
men whose faithful rifle-talk they had heard before. Kit warned his
men to keep cool and fire as if shooting game, a warning which was
entirely unnecessary, for the result was that the savages were again
driven back with a brave bleeding or dying for nearly every shot
fired. It was very fortunate that Kit had chosen this position, for
the engagement lasted nearly the entire day. The loss on the part of
the Indians was very severe. They did everything in their power to
force Kit and his party from their cover, but without avail. Every
time they attempted to charge into the thicket the same deadly volley
was poured in with never-failing aim, which invariably caused the
savages to beat a hasty retreat. Before the next attack the trappers
were ready for them with reloaded rifles. At last, as if driven to
desperation, the Indians set the thicket on fire, hoping to burn out
their foes. Most providentially, in this also they were foiled. After
consuming the outer shrubbery, the fire died out. This was the last
act attempted by the savages. Seeing the ill-success of their effort
to dislodge the trappers by fire, they departed. They may have been
hurried in this leave-taking somewhat by news brought in by their
spies of the near approach of the main body of the trappers, which
had arrived at a point about six miles distant from the battle ground.
They had been prevented from hearing the reports of fire-arms by
adverse winds, and knew nothing of the fight until informed by the
trappers engaged in it. When