So simultaneous was the discharge of both weapons, that but one report was heard.  But Carson’s bullet entered upon its mission probably half a second before the ball of Shunan left the rifle.  Shunan’s wrist was shattered, as the bullet struck it; and from the curvature of the arm the ball passed through a second time above the elbow.  The sudden shock caused the rifle to tilt a little upwards and thus saved the hero’s life.  Carson’s face was severely burned by the powder, and the ball glanced over the top of his head, just cutting through the skin.  The bully’s rifle dropped from his hand.  He had received a terrible and an utterly disabling wound.  He had fought his last battle.  No surgery could ever heal those fractured bones so as to put that arm again in fighting trim.  The wretch had sought the life of Carson; but Carson had sought only to subdue the tyrant.

Shunan was thoroughly humbled, and became as docile as a child.  They took him to his tent, and treated him with all the rough nursing which trappers in the wilderness could bestow.  The shattered bones of course could never recover their former strength.  The weakest of those upon whom he formerly trampled, could now chastise him, should he assume any of his former insolent airs.  The tyrant became docile as a child, and the whole camp regarded Carson as its benefactor.

It is worthy of special notice, that Mr. Carson was not at all elated by his victory.  He never boasted of it.  He never alluded to it, but with a saddened countenance.  Whenever the subject was referred to, he always expressed his heartfelt regret, that it had been needful to resort to such severe measures to preserve the good order of the camp.

In the life of John Charles Fremont we find the following reference to Mr. Carson and to this adventure: 

“Christopher Carson is a remarkably peaceable and quiet man, temperate in his habits, and strictly moral in his deportment.”  In a letter written from California in 1847, introducing Carson as the bearer of dispatches to the government, Col.  Fremont says: 

“’With me Carson and Truth, mean the same thing.  He is always the same,—­gallant and disinterested.’

“He is kind-hearted and averse to all quarrelsome and turbulent scenes, and has never been engaged in any mere personal broils or encounters, except on one single occasion, which he sometimes modestly describes to his friends.  The narrative is fully confirmed by an eye-witness, of whose presence at the time he was not aware, and whose account he has probably never seen.”

Another who knew him well, writes, in corroborative testimony: 

“The name of Christopher Carson has been familiarly known for nearly a quarter of a century.  From its association with the names of great explorers and military men, it is now spread throughout the civilized world.  It has been generally conceded, that no small share of the benefits derived from these explorations, was due to the sagacity, skill, experience, advice and labor of Christopher Carson.  His sober habits, strict honor, and great regard for truth, have endeared him to all who can call him friend; and among such may be enumerated, names belonging to some of the most distinguished men whose deeds are recorded on the pages of American history.