Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1858-12-31

rleneed and brave, though rascally Indians
soon surmised the cause of this sudden
change of affairs. Rallying their forces
they turned upon their assailants in righl
good earnest, and desperate hand-to-hand
engagement ensued. The white men now
had an opportunity to use their small arms
which told with such terrible effect upon
their foes that they were soon driven back
again. They, however, rallied once more,
and charged so manfully that the trappers
were forced to retreat. IN this latter en-
gagement n horse belonging to a mountains
eer by the name of Cotton, fell, throwing
his rider and holding him on the ground by
his weight. This happened as he was
passing ppint of rocks. Six of the war
riorss. seeing the accident, instantly &prried
forward to take Cotton's scalp. But kn
Carson's eagle eye was watching every
part of the battlefield, 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. His aim
and the crack of his rife almost belonged
to the same instant of time. 1t was none
the less sure. The foremost warrior, a
powerful savage, whose fingers evidently
itched for the scalp of the mountaineer, fell,
shot through the heart. BY this time 9TH
ers had followed the bold example of their
leader, when the FIVE remaining warriors,
seeing the imminent danger which threat
ened them, turned to run back into their
band. But two of them, however, reached
place of safety. The remainder, caught
in their fleet career by the unerring and
death-dealing bullets of the mountaineers,
measured their lengths upon the battle |
ground, stricken with wounds which de-
manded and received from them their last |
wild war-whoop.
When Kit Carson fired, his horse, being I
under no restraint, became frightened and
dashed away, leaving his brave rider on
foot. Kit. however, instantly comprehend
ed his position. The fallen horseman had /
succeeded in extricaling himself but not
without difficulty, for the ground was very
uneven. He had received few pretty Sc
we're 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. /
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 4 es4ase,
was soon captured by trapper and re-
turned to his captain. A peri0d~ snac.
tivty now reigned over the battlefield
each party apparently waiting for the 9TH
er to again open the ball. During this
resting spell, the reserve division Of the
trappers came in sight, having been anx-
iously expected for some time. The Indi-
ans showed no fear at this addition 10 the
number of their adversaries. On the con-
trary, being no doubt carried away by their
recent success in making stand, they COM
menced 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 pouch
es, they once more became eager for the
affray. Evrything being in readiness,
with cheer, they started on foot to attack
and dslodge the enemy. In a few mo-
ments was commenced the severest skir-
mish Of the day. 1t became so exciting
that frequently trapper would occupy one
side, and stalwart warrior the other of
some large rock, each intent upon the life
of his adversary. In such cases it required
the closest watchfuness and the utmost dex-
terity TO kill or dislodge the bold savage. i
The power of powder in the hands of skill |
ful men soon began to assert its superiority
in the battle, and when once the Indians
to waver, it was all over with
them. Their first wavering soon broke in
10 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 Il
had thoroughly settled all outstanding ac-
counts with the Blackfeet Indians, for they
had killed large number of their warri-
ors and wounded many more. On fheir
side, three men only were killed, and a'few
severely wounded.