One winter’s day a little band of hunters, in their pursuit of game, were lured to a greater distance than usual from the camp.  Their attention was arrested by certain signs which indicated that a band of Indians had passed by, and had endeavored carefully to conceal their trail.  A close scrutiny so confirmed this opinion that they hastily returned to the camp with the declaration that savages were certainly prowling around watching for an opportunity to attack them.  They knew full well that the wary Indians would never think of approaching their camp unless in overpowering numbers.  It was deemed expedient not to allow the foe any time to mature their plans.  A party of forty men was immediately fitted out, under the command of Kit Carson, to go to the hidden trail and follow it till the haunts of the Indians were discovered.  The reputation of Mr. Carson was such that unanimously he was invested with dictatorial powers.  Everything was left to the decision of his own good judgment.

With silent, moccasined tread the adventurers threaded their way over the broken country, and through a dense forest, when suddenly they came upon a band of Indians, manifestly on the war-path; painted, plumed and armed in the highest style of their barbaric art.  The savages, on catching sight of the trappers, turned and fled with the utmost speed, without scattering.  The trappers pursued with equal swiftness of foot.  They had no doubt that there was a stronger band at some little distance, which the Indians were retreating to join.

The supposition proved correct.  A large number of warriors had assembled, in a very good military position, and it was at once evident that they intended to give battle.  Though the majority of them had only arrows and lances, many were armed with rifles.  They were on a hill-side which was quite steep, rugged with boulders, and with a heavy growth of gloomy firs and pines.  The field was admirably adapted for the Indian mode of warfare, and the desperate warriors of the Blackfeet were foes not to be despised.

Kit Carson possessed the qualities essential to a military leader.  He was cautious as he was bold.  He was very careful never unnecessarily to expose the lives of his men.  Very deliberately he reconnoitred the position, and prepared for the battle.  He had no doubt that, with what would be called a gallant rush, he might drive the Indians from him and gain a brilliant victory.  But it would be attended with loss.  By a slower process he was sure of the result, while his men would be protected from death and wounds.  All of his men were armed with the best of rifles.  They had a good supply of ammunition.  They could afford to load with heavy charges which would throw the balls to the greatest possible distance.  It was very difficult for the Indians to obtain ammunition.  They therefore found it necessary to husband the little they had with great care.  Consequently the Indian’s rifle, but lightly charged, would seldom throw a bullet more than two-thirds the distance thrown by the rifle of the trapper.