122 ELDORADO 



On one occasion, while trapping on Carson river, 

 Sublette had gone out alone to look for some horses 

 that had strayed, and came across two Indians on foot 

 driving them off. One of them had just succeeded in 

 catching a horse as Sublette came up, and, mounting it, 

 he hurried the others off as rapidly as possible. Sub- 

 lette made chase after the one who was still on foot. 

 and who was endeavoring to reach the mountains. He 

 soon overtook the Indian, who turned and drew his 

 knife, which Sublette by a sweep of his tomahawk sent 

 flying into the air. He then grappled with the savage, 

 intending to throw him. The Indian proved strong and 

 active, however, and was a match for Sublette. In the 

 midst of their struggle Sublette saw the other Indian 

 coming swiftly up, rifle in hand. He saw that he must 

 kill both of the savages to save his own life. Holding 

 the one close to him and between himself and the 

 mounted Indian, he succeeded in drawing one of his 

 pistols as the redskin on horseback dashed up. The 

 trapper fired and the Indian dropped from his horse. 

 With the butt of his pistol he beat the other about the 

 head and face until he fell to the ground insensible. 

 Cleaving his skull uath his tomahawk, he scalped him, 

 and mounting his haltered horse rode some distance, 

 then entered the stream which led to his camp, thus de- 

 stroving all trace of his course. 



The Utes, upon finding the dead bodies, supposed 

 they had been killed by their enemies, the Diggers, with 

 whom they were constantly at war. After dancing 

 around them furiosuly for two or three days, they 

 started out to obtain revenge for their dead braves from 

 the poor Diggers. 



Sublette once performed an act of heroism seldom 



