ards to be a very
fortunate change; for, their old enemies, the Tlamath Indians, had
concealed themselves there, thinking, as a matter of course, that the
white men would keep the trail. Seeing that the white men were
not coming into the ambuscade laid for them, the Indians became so
disappointed that they boldly ventured forth from their hiding-places.
A few, more daring than the rest, advanced into open ground, when
Carson, Godey, and another member of the party, made a dash at them.
They all ran except one warrior, and as the charging party were
mounted on mules, they made but poor progress in overtaking them.
The one Indian who, apparently, had resolved to make war on his own
account, concealed himself behind a rock, strung his bow, putting
several arrows in his mouth, and thus awaited the advance of his foes.
Kit Carson and Godey soon came within shooting distance, when he began
to let fly his arrows, and kept it up so briskly, that the men dodged
about, without being able to do anything else for some moments. At
last, wearying of this dangerous sport, Kit Carson dismounted, and
crept around until he obtained a good sight at the Indian; when, he
drew up his rifle, fired, and sent a bullet through his heart. From
this dead brave, Kit Carson took a beautifully wrought bow and
quiver, which still contained a large number of arrows, and which he
presented, on rejoining the party, to Lieutenant Gillespie. It is a
pity that such a brave man as this savage was, should have met with
such an inglorious death; but, it was his own seeking, for he had
attacked the wrong persons. Another twenty-four hours now passed by
without any further annoyance from the Indians; who, notwithstanding
the late forcible instruction they had received, still continued to
hover around, and follow after the exploring party. On encamping
the next evening, after Kit Carson had killed the Indian, as above
described, the party found themselves entirely destitute of anything
to eat, although they were very hungry. Game had, all at once, become
very scarce, as the hunters whose turn it was to be out that day, had
returned unsuccessful. Two more men were then sent out, in hopes that
by perseverance they might find something. They had not proceeded far
before they discovered an Indian watching their camp, as if awaiting
a favorable opportunity to make a descent on the animals. Step (one
of these hunters) crept unperceived by the red man until he was within