242 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



and fight. Knives glitter in the light, and quick 

 thrusts are given and parried. In the centre of the 

 room the whites stand shoulder to shoulder covering 

 the floor with Mexicans by their stalwart blows ; but 

 the odds are fearful against them, and other assailants 

 crowd up to supply the place of those who fall. 



The alarm being given by the shrieking women, rein- 

 forcements of Pelados rushed to the scene of action, 

 but could not enter the room, which was already full. 

 The odds began to tell against the mountaineers, when 

 Kit Carson's quick eye caught sight of a high stool or 

 stone, supported by three long heavy legs. In a mo- 

 ment he had cleared his way to this, and in another the 

 three legs were broken off and in the hands of himself, 

 Dick Wooton, and La Bonte. Sweeping them round 

 their heads, down came the heavy weapons amongst the 

 Mexicans with wonderful effect each blow, dealt by 

 the nervous arms of Wooton and La Bonte, mowing 

 down a good half-dozen of the assailants. At this the 

 mountaineers gave a hearty whoop, and charged the 

 wavering enemy with such resistless vigour, that they 

 gave way and bolted through the door, leaving the floor 

 strewed with wounded, many most dangerously ; for, 

 as may be imagined, a thrust from the keen scalp-knife 

 by the nervous arm of a mountaineer was no baby blow, 

 and seldom failed to strike home up to the " Green 

 River " * on the blade. 



* The knives used by the hunters and trappers are manufac- 

 tured at the " Green River " works, and have that name stamped 

 upon the blade. Hence the mountain term for doing anything 

 effectually is " up to Green River." 



