when, the Indians instantly started for theirs.  The fight was now renewed by both parties.  Kit Carson, in the rush made for the rifles, and one of his companions named Markhead, succeeded in getting hold of their weapons first; and consequently, they formed the advance in the return to the contest.  They selected for their antagonists, two Indians who were close together; but, who were partially concealed behind separate trees.  As Kit was on the point of raising his rifle to fire he saw by a quick side glance at Markhead, that he was working at the lock of his gun without paying attention to his adversary who was aiming at him with, almost, a certainty of killing him.  Kit instantly changed the direction of his rifle and fired, sending a bullet through the heart of Markhead’s adversary; but, in thus saving the life of his friend, he was obliged, for the instant, to neglect his own adversary.  A quick glance showed him the fellow sighting over his rifle and that the mouth of the Indian’s gun covered his breast.  Upon the instant he endeavored to dodge the bullet, but he was unsuccessful in doing so completely.  It struck him in such a way that, first cutting the skin of his neck and glancing, it passed through his left shoulder.  The head of the bone, of the arm in the shoulder was shattered; but, fortunately, the main artery of the arm escaped injury.  Notwithstanding his wound Kit immediately endeavored to reload his rifle.  In this effort he was unsuccessful, for his left arm hung powerless by his side.  He was obliged, therefore, to remain a mere spectator during the remainder of the fight; when, being overcome by the loss of blood and the consequent fast increasing weakness, he threw himself upon the ground.  The fight continued to be hotly contested by both the trappers and Indians until, gradually, the firing ceased, when the trappers drew off and went into camp.  They did not dare to light any fires, as they would inevitably bring the Indians upon them.  With nothing but their saddle-blankets to protect them from the bitter cold, even the safe and sound members of the party suffered severely.  Kit’s condition failed not to arouse the heartfelt sympathy of his friends, for there was not one among them who would not have readily risked life and limb to save Kit’s.  But his condition was most critical; at the least, he was in a most unenviable condition.  His wounds bled profusely, and, the blood, as it oozed out, froze to the rude dressings.  This, undoubtedly, in the final result, was beneficial to him, as the cold acted as a partial check upon the hemorrhage.  It was, however, none the less painful to endure.  He bore his agonizing sufferings without a single murmur, exhibiting in patient fortitude and resignation the same brave spirit and dauntless courage which distinguished him in every action.  Not once did a single complaint escape from his lips.  Had he received this wound within the pales of civilization with its concomitant constitution, he might never have recovered the use of his arm.  In the pure air, and with a constitution in the best possible trim, after all danger from hemorrhage had passed, his chances to recover were favorable; and, finally, resulted in giving him once more, the full use of his arm.