The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-03

There they halted and raised their
hands, with palms outward, indicating
that their intentions were peaceful
In the white party was a French
Canadian trapper named Jean Pierre.
who had a smattering of all Indian
tongues. He, with four picked men,
advanced to meet the five Indians. The
latter said that they were eros Ventres.
They had been on a, buffalo hunt and
had been badly beaten by the Crows.
The Crows, they said, were in close pur-
suit and they were on their way to
their villages to enlist more fighting
men. They asked the white men to
join forces with them against the muir
derous Crows. The whites were con-
WINGED that the intentions of these In
dams were friendly, but they declined
to help them, a decision which they
soon, however, had good reason to re-
greet. The Gros Ventres thereupon
FASTENED away.
McKenzie's party scarcely felt like
venturing into Silver Bow canyon in
the face Of the story they had heard
the camp equipages We're moved up to
the top Of the bald butte in American
Gulch, and all empty vessels were filled
with water from the little stream
which ran through the gulch.
About noon the first of the Crows be-
gan to appear in the distance, coming
from the canyon, and soon the whole
nf ao,i,y I
sight. The whites had strong hopes
that the hostile red men would pass
on in pursuit of the Gros Ventres with
out deserving them. Their trail was
discovered. however, and the Indians
soon made out the camp on the hill, the
horses being picketed in plain view
The Indians held a parley for a few
minutes and then all of them left the
eros Ventre' trail and headed for The
camp of the whites.
Meanwhile the "a men on the summit
of the butte We're throwing up breast
works. The Indians reached the foot
Of the hill and then turned their stock
loose in charge of a few herders. They
made no effort to parley. They seemed
thirsty for blood and booty. and in
stantly arranged the attack They d.
vided their forces into three bands or
columns, one advancing up the open
side of the hill and the others climbing
at the ends. All charged boldly up
with whoops and yells. Apparently
the main charge was up the side the
columns a the end being so placed as
to battle escape.
The whites waited until the middle
column was within 200 yards of their
puny breastWorks and then opened
terrific fire. The effect was witherng
But the Indian braves were warriors
of mettle and in spite of the deadly eff
feet of the fire they kept on up the
hill. The fire of the gallant defenders
was kept up increasingly until the In
dams when within so yards of the
works, could stand the deadly hail no
longer. They turned and fled in
panic From the peculiar formation of
the hill, as may be noted by those who
choose to visit the scene of the conflict,
four men at either end. with long-range
rifles, were abundantly able to hold
the other bands in check.
Soon all the red host was gathered
in wild parley at the foot of the hill,
out of range. Not one of the white de-
tenders had as yet been touched. Night
was approaching and supper was had.
It was expected that there would be a
night attack, but, nevertheless, it was
felt that all who could rest should do