Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-02-12

rushed from the brush 10 ascertain the
/ result they found both bears wounded
one rolling on the ground and the
other charging the two New Workers
10 obtain vengeance. The two had for
gotten 20 reload their guns and were
N frenzy OF excitement. TWO trap
pers hurried 10 them and offered their
guns, and the bears were killed by the
visitors.
Indians Wanted Horses
That night &C the camp the trappers
agreed THAI II there were any Indians
In the country they would have been
attracted BY the days shooting. IN
which case they might expect an at
tack some time during the night. Every
one turned In dressed for action and
with guns handy. At $3.50 in the morn
ing the trappers were aroused bv their
dogs barking. They rushed for the
corral and found seven Indians trying
to get at their horses. They killed two
reds, the others escaping Two of the
trappers received arrow wounds. one
In the cheek, one In the thigh.
The trappers held q council Of war
and decided that none Of these In
nans must be allowed to escape to
carry the news of their presence and
the location OF their camp back TO the
tribe, for II they did, q larger force
was sure to come.
At daybreak 10 trappers and the two
New Workers mounted and took the
trail. A quarter Of a mile from camp
they found b1oodStainS, indicating that
one of the surviving Indians had been |
wounded. A short distance beyond that |
trail was joined by the trails of the
other four. They found where the
wounded Indian had fallen down and
had been helped to his feet by his
companions. The snow was foot deep,
and the trappers, well mounted, pressed
rapidly upon the trail of the Indians,
who we're on foot.
BIacI1feet Indians
When the trail Of the five Indians
entered a clunp of willows, the trap
had emerged on the other side. The
wounded Indian was still there. The
rapperS were anxious to finish him
Without indicating to the other four
hat they were being closely pursued.
So two OF them entered the willows
While the other 10 of the party stood ]
'uard around the grove. Presently the
wo returned bearing q war bonnet, q |
ancy blanket, pipe, bow and arrows
land scalp. They had found the In
ian propped up against a tree with
ow and arrow ready, and had APP
'roached him unseen and so stealthily ,
hey were able to dispatch him with
heir knives before he had time to let 1
ut yell.
They had now established the fact I
hat the Indians were Blackfeet, which :
lade them more than ever determined =
D overtake the other four When the I
'lackfeet went on horse stealing expe- :
itions they usually split into small =
arties which signaled each other of :
he presence Of enemies as discovered
r when concentration seemed deSir-
Al ttSsax e~re4A
srta1n they would signal for REIN
)rcementS, then attempt to kill the
'appers, raid their camp and steal
leir horses.
They followed the Indians trail to-
ards Pryor Gap and as they ap-
reached q ridge over which the trail
in Is inches Of snow, sent two scouts
head to see If the quarry was in
ght. The scouts returned to say that
lie Indians were on a cone butte 300
lrdS over the ridge gathering wood
ON a few small pine trees there and
caring away snow with the evident
tention OF making a smoke signal.
rat made 1t necessary for the trap
rs to surround the butte and at
ck before the fire could be built, and
is they did.
lnkets and everything not needed in
: fight, separated into two parties
d approached the butte from oppo-
e sides. The Indians at first saw
" one of the approaching parties.
Re of the Indians, crouched in the
re Of the timber and fired, but missed
target and was killed by return fire
e Of his comrades crawled out to
lch for his gun and he, too, was
led by trapper fire.
n the meantime the other party of
ppers, approaching the butte from
other side came within 20 yards Of
without being seen and saw two In
ms on their side peering back to-
rds, where the shooting had oc-
red. They killed them both. At II
ock the trappers took the back
Il with their scalps and plumber.
lose guard was maintained at the
mp for several days until the wind
! drifted the snow over their trails
ere was no sign of Indians.
he two visitors then expressed a
ire to have buckskin suits like the
untain men were wearing. AS the
suits were made from the skins
mountain sheep, a hunt was or
lied to get materials for the suits.
oh Ned Williams, one of the trap
$ who was tailor, agreed to make.
trappers and the two guests were
the hunt, taking with them two
s trained in the hunting of noun
sheep, running to the high points
holding them until the hunters
Id get within range. They killed
e than 20 and were back In camp
3 o'clock in the afternoon. The
Is were Immediately fleshed and
ned Greed Of the hair) and turned
: to the four. squaws in the camp,
IS Of four of the trappers, to be
Il dressed aOd SYn0lxnd