[Illustration:  Kit Carson’s eagle eye was watching every part of the battle-field and discovered, in time to be of service, the danger to which his friend was exposed.  Although some distance off, Kit sprang from his saddle, and, with the leap of an antelope and the rallying cry for his men, was on the ground ready to make a certain shot.—­PAGE 120.]

When Kit Carson fired, his horse, being under no restraint, became frightened and dashed away, leaving his brave rider on foot.  Kit however instantly comprehended his position.  The fallen horseman had succeeded in extricating himself, but not without difficulty, for the ground was very uneven.  He had received a few pretty severe contusions, but was, notwithstanding these, worth a dozen Indians yet, and failed not to show the fact.  Seeing Cotton thus all right, Kit Carson made his way to one of his companions, and, as the fighting had, apparently by mutual consent, ceased for a few moments, mounted up behind him and thus rejoined the main body of his men.  The runaway horse, after quite a chase, was soon captured by a trapper and returned to his captain.  A period of inactivity now reigned over the battle-field, each party apparently waiting for the other to again open the ball.  During this resting spell, the reserve division of the trappers came in sight, having been anxiously expected for some time.  The Indians showed no fear at this addition to the number of their adversaries.  On the contrary, being no doubt carried away by their recent success in making a stand, they commenced posting themselves among the rocks about one hundred and fifty yards distant from the position taken up by the trappers.  The arrival of the reserve was a great relief to the advance, because, they were tired of fighting without ammunition.  Having well filled their ammunition pouches they once more became eager for the affray.  Everything being in readiness, with a cheer, they started on foot to attack and dislodge the enemy.  In a few moments was commenced the severest skirmish of the day.  It became so exciting that frequently a trapper would occupy one side, and a stalwart warrior the other, of some large rock, each intent upon the life of his adversary.  In such cases it required the closest watchfulness and the utmost dexterity to kill or dislodge the bold savage.  The power of powder in the hands of skillful men soon began to assert its superiority in the battle, and when once the Indians commenced to waver, it was all over with them.  Their first wavering soon broke into a complete rout, when they ran for their lives.  As they scattered in every direction, the pursuit which followed was short.  In this battle the trappers considered that they had thoroughly settled all outstanding accounts with the Blackfeet Indians, for they had killed a large number of their warriors and wounded many more.  On their side three men only were killed and a few severely wounded.

Fontenelle and his men camped for a few days in the vicinity of the scene of their late engagement, burying their dead and repairing damages.  They then resumed the business of trapping, traversing the Blackfeet country whenever they chose without fear of molestation.  The success in their late engagement seemed to follow them in their business, for their stock of fur accumulated rapidly.