Carson Badly Wounded—A Drawn1 Battle—An Ineffectual Pursuit—The Summer
Rendezvous2—Carson's Duel3.
This act of chivalry4 on the part of Carson simply transferred the peril5 of his friend to himself, for the Indian whom he had selected for his target was carefully sighting at him, at the very moment the gun was discharged. Kit6 saw what was coming and bounded to one side in the hope of dodging7 the bullet. Quick as he was, however, he did not entirely8 succeed, though the act doubtless saved his life. The ball from the rifle of his adversary9 grazed his neck and buried itself in his shoulder, shattering the head of one of the bones.
Carson though badly hurt, did not fall or retreat. On the contrary, he tried desperately10 to reload his gun, but found it impossible to raise his arm. He was hors de combat beyond all question, and bleeding so fast that his weakness compelled him to lie down on the ground while the conflict went on about him. The fight was very hot for a time, the result being what may be called a drawn battle, with the advantage inclining to the side of the Indians. The trappers fell back to the safest place that presented itself and went into camp. They dared not start a fire; for they knew it would bring an attack from the Indians, but wrapping their saddle blankets around them, they bore the intense cold as best they could.
The sufferings of Carson were great. His wounds continued bleeding and froze upon the dressings11, which were of the most primitive12 character. And yet not once through those hours of anguish13 did he utter a word of complaint. Many a strong man would have cried out in his agony, but one might have sat within arm's length of the mountaineer without knowing he was hurt at all.
More than that, Carson took his part in the council which was held in the cold and darkness. The conclusion reached was that the party of trappers were not strong enough to pursue the Blackfeet, and the proper course to pursue was to rejoin the main body and report what had been done. It would then be time enough to decide upon their future action.
When this programme was carried out, a larger party of hunters under the lead of an experienced mountaineer resumed the pursuit; but nothing could be found of the savages14. They had utilized16 the grace allowed them so well that it was impossible to overtake or trace them, and the indignant trappers were obliged to submit to their loss.
The severe cold moderated, and, as spring was close at hand the hunters pushed their trapping operations along the Green and Snake Rivers, meeting with unbounded success. They gathered more peltries than they had dared to hope for, and when warm weather approached, went into quarters where they remained until the following fall, a party of traders having brought them all the supplies they needed.
The rugged17 constitution of Carson and his temperate18 habits caused him speedily to recover from his severe wound. He again became the active, vigilant19, keen witted guide and hunter who was looked up to by all as the most consummate20 master of woodcraft that had ever been known in the west.
Such a large party as were gathered at the summer rendezvous was certain to include many varieties of people. The frank, brave and open hearted, the sly and treacherous21, the considerate and courteous22, the quarrelsome and overbearing—indeed the temperaments23 of the individuals composing the company were as varied24 as it is possible to imagine.
Among them was a powerful Frenchman known as Captain Shunan. He had won his title by hard fighting, possessed25 a magnificent physique, was brave and skilled in the use of arms, and was the most quarrelsome individual in camp. It is impossible to picture a more irascible and disagreeable personage than Captain Shunan, who appeared to spend all his spare time in trying to provoke quarrels with those around him. Sometimes he succeeded, but more often his insolence26 was submitted to by men as brave as he, but who wished to avoid trouble with him.
The activity and strength of the Frenchman were so great that a skilful27 pugilist would have found difficulty in handling him. The only ground upon which he could be met with anything like fairness was where firearms were used.
On one of these occasions, the bully28 became unbearable29 in his behavior. He knocked down several weak and inoffensive persons, and swaggered back and forth30 through camp, boasting that he could trounce any one there. In the midst of his bluster31, Carson walked up in front of him and said in a voice loud enough to be heard by those around:
"Captain Shunan, there are plenty here who can easily chastise32 you, but they prefer to submit to your impudence33 for the sake of peace: however, we have had enough and now I notify you to stop at once or I shall kill you!"
These were astounding34 words, and, as may be supposed, when uttered by a man six inches shorter and many pounds lighter35 than the blustering36 Captain, they fairly took away his breath. Carson spoke37 in his quiet, soft voice, as though there was not the least cause for excitement; but those who knew him, noted38 the flash of his clear, gray eye and understood his deadly earnestness.
Captain Shunan was infuriated by the words of Carson. As soon as he could recover himself, he turned about and without speaking a word, walked to his quarters. Kit did not need be told what that meant. He did the same, walking to his own lodge39, from which he speedily emerged holding a single barrel pistol. He was so anxious to be on the ground in time, that he caught up the first weapon that presented itself.
Almost at the same moment, Captain Shunan appeared with his rifle. Carson observed him, and, though he could have secured without difficulty a similar weapon, he did not do so. He was willing to give his burly antagonist40 the advantage, if it should prove such. The other trappers as may be supposed, watched the actions of the two men with breathless interest. The quarrel had taken such a course that they were convinced that one or the other of the combatants would be killed. Captain Shunan had been so loud in his boasts that he did not dare swallow the insult, put on him by the fragile Kit Carson. Had he done so, he would have been hooted41 out of camp and probably lynched.
As for Kit, his courage was beyond suspicion. He feared no man and was sure to acquit42 himself creditably no matter in what circumstances he was placed. He was the most popular member of the large company, while his antagonist was the most detested43; but the love of fair play was such that no one would interfere44, no matter how great the need for doing so.
The duellists, as they may be called, mounted each his horse and circling about the plain, speedily headed toward each other and dashed forward on a dead run. As they approached, they reined45 up and halted face to face, within arm's length.
Looking his antagonist straight in the eye, Carson demanded:
"Are you looking for me?"
"Have you any business with me?"
"No," growled46 the savage15 Frenchman; but, while the words were in his mouth, brought his rifle to his shoulder, and, pointing it at the breast of Carson, pulled the trigger; but Kit expected some such treacherous act, and, before the gun could be fired, he threw up his pistol and discharged it as may be said, across the barrel of the leveled weapon.
The ball broke the forearm of Captain Shunan, at the very moment he discharged his gun. The shock diverted the aim so that the bullet grazed his scalp, inflicting47 a trifling48 wound; but the combatants were so close that the powder of the rifle scorched49 the face of the mountaineer.
Captain Shunan had been badly worsted, and was disabled for weeks afterward50. He accepted his fate without complaint and was effectually cured of his overbearing manner toward his associates.
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1
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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3
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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4
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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7
dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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8
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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9
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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10
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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dressings
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| n.敷料剂；穿衣( dressing的名词复数 )；穿戴；（拌制色拉的）调料；（保护伤口的）敷料 | |
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12
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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13
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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14
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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16
utilized
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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18
temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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19
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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20
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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21
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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22
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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23
temperaments
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| 性格( temperament的名词复数 )； （人或动物的）气质； 易冲动； （性情）暴躁 | |
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24
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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25
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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26
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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27
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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28
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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29
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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30
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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31
bluster
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| v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声 | |
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32
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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33
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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34
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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35
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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36
blustering
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| adj.狂风大作的，狂暴的v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的现在分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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37
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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38
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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39
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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40
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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41
hooted
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
acquit
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| vt.宣判无罪；(oneself)使(自己)表现出 | |
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43
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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45
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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46
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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47
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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48
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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49
scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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50
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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