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Updated: April 30, 2025
It was well known that when Carson and Shunan should meet on the hostile field, there was to be no vulgar rough and tussle fight, but a decisive conflict which would settle forever the question, whether the one or the other was to be master. The common law of the wilderness demanded only, that the parties should be left to settle the question in their own way.
As no other member of the company seemed disposed to put a check upon such unmanly behavior, he quietly determined to make the affair his own. 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.
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.
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.
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.
The frank, brave and open hearted, the sly and treacherous, the considerate and courteous, the quarrelsome and overbearing indeed the temperaments of the individuals composing the company were as varied as it is possible to imagine. Among them was a powerful Frenchman known as Captain Shunan.
The Battle. Kit Carson wounded. The Rencontre with Shunan. The Defeat and Humiliation of Shunan. Remarkable Modesty of Carson. Testimony to Mr. Carson's Virtues. In the morning the party fortunately found, in one of their traps, a beaver, upon whose not very palatable flesh they breakfasted. The tail of a beaver when well cooked, is esteemed quite a delicacy.
He was so anxious to be on the ground in time, that he caught up the first weapon that presented itself. Almost at the same moment, Captain Shunan appeared with his rifle. Carson observed him, and, though he could have secured without difficulty a similar weapon, he did not do so. He was willing to give his burly antagonist the advantage, if it should prove such.
Kit Carson always rode a magnificent horse. He bestrode his steed as if he were a part of the animal, and seemed as unembarrassed in his movements when in the saddle, as when on the floor of his tent. Rapidly he rode down upon Shunan until the heads of their horses nearly touched. Calmly he inquired, as if it were one of the most ordinary occurrences of life.
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.
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