CHAPTER XII.
Carson Badly Wounded--A Drawn Battle--An Ineffectual Pursuit--The Summer Rendezvous--Carson's Duel.
This act of chivalry on the part of Carson simply transferred the peril of his friend to himself, for the Indian whom he had selected for his target was carefully sighting at him, at the very moment the gun was discharged.

Kit saw what was coming and bounded to one side in the hope of dodging the bullet.

Quick as he was, however, he did not entirely succeed, though the act doubtless saved his life.

The ball from the rifle of his adversary grazed his neck and buried itself in his shoulder, shattering the head of one of the bones.
Carson though badly hurt, did not fall or retreat.

On the contrary, he tried desperately to reload his gun, but found it impossible to raise his arm.