The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-04
A Carson Incident,

A Carson Incident.
 Med Buntline, in Las Vegas Op,ic.l
 So much has been written about Kit Carson as a hunter, trappeT, scout asd guide. that it is hard to write an inciden, that has not already been told over and over again.
 l was associated with him for a time in the Northwest Fur company, and learned to know him for all he was worth as man of nerve, modesty and unfail. ing courage.
 We were just ready to leave Ss. Louis for the Yellowstone in a sternwheel steamer with a crowd of trappers, boat men and hunters, when 1t was discovered that about dozen of the Canadian trap pers and half-breeds were ashore on a spree, spending their advanced wages and would not come of.
 "Judson, take a man with you and bring them of " said old Choteau. the head man in the company, and address ing me.
 l called to Carson to put on his belt of tools and go up town with me.
 We want no tools to handle them drunken fools with l" was his reply And unarmed he started on shore with me. We entered several saloons before we found the men we were after. but at last their yells and songs piloted us to the right place. There were ten of them, crazy drunk, dancing, yelling and carry ing on as only such men can, when wild on eight-rod whisky. Stepping in amongst them, l told them the boat was about to start and they must get aboard
 Boat go to hell, you, too l :" cried one of the leaders Choteau no good-we in for big drunk. Voila!"
 And he snapped his fingers in my face
 A back-hander under his left ear drop ped him, and then his comrades made rush for me. As they did SO, Carson mixed in without waiting for orders. He caught the two foremost each by his long, shaggy hair, and brought their heads together with a crash that sounded like boat putting end onto a wharf. It was enough for those two; they dropped, bleeding at the nose and mouth, and then he caught up another, and using him as a fail, thrashed right and left with his 1.-the and Timber body and limbs, knocking men to and fro, and literally leaving me noth- ing to do but to look on and laugh. In less than two minutes the fracas was all over, the men subdued and ready to go on board for, though they hated Carson heartily, they feared him mere.
 Now, more trouble seemed imminent. The keepers of the saloon claimed S2o damages for broken table and two or three chairs that had suffered in the skirmish, and swore none of us should leave the room until the money was paid. He was reputed fighter. He stood over six feet high and was all bone and mus cle. He had barkeeper to back him nearly as large, and he picked up clsb and he seemed ready to use it.
 "Were going of to the boat SoaO; if you have bill to collect take it to Cho- teau :" said Carson, quietly. while got the Canadians together to start. "Pn mash the first cuss that moves," yelled the keeper, and he started for the door to head us of He was going fast and he fell over Carson's outstretched foot. And when he struck the floor Carson was si,- ting on his head, while a pistol that Kit had snatched from my belt was looking the barkeeper in the face.
 "Take the men on board, cap; I'll get there as soon as you dol" said Kit to me quietly. "l'm tired ard want to rest a minute" Left him well knowing he could "hold the fort" and went on Dc ard with the men. had scarcely crossed the gang plank when Kit came over it, a quiet smile on his face. Handing me back my pistol, he said: "I had no use for the iron-that cuss didn't like the looks of iti" Always cool, immensely strsng for his stature, Kit Carson was a danger to an enemy and blessing to a friend. It is pity that there are but few of such men as he left on the plains in the present day. Pain in dress, he took more pride in the arms he carried and in the horse he rode than in bis own ap- pearance. He was man to bet your life and fortune on, for you had sure thing every time.