An opportunity soon presented itself.  A number of the company had congregated together and were engaged in conversation, when Captain Shunan began anew his bullying language; this time a little more boisterous than usual.  Kit Carson advancing into the centre of the company and placing himself in front of the Captain thus addressed him: 

“Shunan, before you stands the humblest specimen of an American in this band of trappers, among whom, there are, to my certain knowledge, men who could easily chastise you; but, being peaceably disposed, they keep aloof from you.  At any rate, I assume the responsibility of ordering you to cease your threats, or I will be under the necessity of killing you.”

To this Captain Shunan did not reply; but, immediately after Kit Carson had closed his remarks, he turned upon his heel and walked directly for his lodge.

Kit Carson was too well versed in trapper rules not to read the meaning of this action.  He, therefore, walked off also; but, in the direction of his own lodge.  In a brief space of time, both men appeared before the camp, each mounted on their respective horses.  The affair had drawn together the whole band, and they were now, quietly, so many witnesses of the facts here recorded.

Captain Shunan was armed with his rifle.  Kit Carson had taken merely a single-barrel dragoon pistol which happened to be the first weapon that had fallen in his way, because of his hurry to be on the ground.  The two men now rode rapidly towards one another, until their horses’ heads almost touched, when both horsemen reined up, and Kit Carson addressed Captain Shunan as follows: 

“Am I the person you are looking for?”

Captain Shunan replied, “No!”

It was apparent that this reply of Captain Shunan was a falsehood; for, while giving it utterance, he raised his rifle in the act of shooting, bringing it to his shoulder and covering his antagonist.  Before, however, Captain Shunan could discharge his gun, the ball from Kit Carson’s pistol shattered his forearm, causing the rifle to tilt upwards, which changed the direction of its contents in such a way that Kit Carson received a wound in his scalp while the powder severely burnt his face.

[Illustration:  Before, however, Captain Shunan could discharge his gun, the ball from Kit Carson’s pistol shattered his forearm.—­PAGE 100.]

It was the universal opinion of the spectators of this unhappy scene that both parties fired nearly at the same instant.  The facts of the case show very plainly, first, that Captain Shunan’s intent was to kill his antagonist.  Why did he aim at Kit Carson’s breast?  Second, that Kit Carson’s shot was delivered perhaps a second or two in advance of Captain Shunan’s; third, that Kit Carson did not desire to kill his antagonist, but merely to save his own life, by disabling his adversary.  The fact that his shot struck first and hit Captain Shunan’s right arm is sufficient proof of this.  When Kit