Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-06-13
Bill Williams Trapper, Outfought Indian Enemies
For More Than 40 Years But They Finally Slew Him

Iully. and with all that GOODNESS tina
perfect Indifference to death or danger
could give, but always ION his owr
hook" His rifle cracked away merrily
ana never spoke in vain. In a charge
on the indians, If 1t came to that
ms keen-edged butcher knife ticklec
the fleece OF many a Blacfeet.
AT the same time. however, II he saw
that discretion was the better part OF
valor, and affairs wore so cloudy an
aspect, as to render retreat advisable
he would first express his opinion in
curt terms and decisive: then loading
his rifle. he would take himself off
and cache" so effectually that to
search for him was utterly useless.
mus when with a large party Of
trappers. when anything occurred that
gave him hint that trouble was COM
ing and more Indians were about than
he considered good for the animals.
Bill was in the habit OF exclaiming:
Bill. and His Horse
DO ZEE hear now, boys. thar's sign
about? This boss feels like caching. -
And without more words, and stoically
deaf to all circumstances, he would
forthwith proceed TO pack his animals,
talking the while to an old crop-eared
raw-boned Nee Perez pony, which was
his ewn particular saddle horse. This
animal. logged In temper and iron
hardness, was worthy companion for
his self-willed master This beast, as
Bill seized his buffalo calf skin saddle
robe to lay upon It's CALLED back, would
express displeasure by humping its
back and shaking its withers with a
wincing that always excited the ire
OF the old trapper; and no sooner had
he laid the saddle skin on its back,
than a wriggle of the animal shook
it off Bill would upbraid the horse,
it for its contrariness when
he was trying to save it from the In
dams. Then, continuing his work and
taking no notice Of the other trappers,
who stood about bantering the eccen-
trio old frontierSman, Bill would solilo-
quize thus:
DO ZEE hear now? This Niger sees
Injun sign ahead-he doesl He'll be
afoot afore long If he don't keep his
eye skinned-he will Injuns Is all
about, they are-Blackfeet at that.
They can't come around this niger
hey can't"
Plays Game Safely
At last, his pack animals securely
led to the tail Of his horse, he would |
mount, and throwing the rifle across
he horn Of his saddle, and without |
loticing his companions, would drive /
he jingling spurs into the horses sides |
md ride away. Perhaps nothing would /
Ne seen Of him for months, when not |
his companions, them
elves set afoot by an Indian attack
hat he had foreseen. would find him
Ocated in some solitary valley in his
Onely camp with his horses safely
icketed near him.
However, If he took 1t into his head
D keep company with a party, all felt
safe under his leadership. His
on frame defied fatigue, and at night
is love for safety for himself and
Is horses was sufficient guarantee
nat the camp would be well located
nd safely guarded. AS he rode ahead,
Is spurs humping against the sides
his horse, he managed with wonder
II dexterity TO take advantage Of the
sst line Of the country to follow. This
Opeared to be an instinct with him, /
" he looked neither to the right nor
} the left, while continuing a course
! straight as possible at the foot OF {
lie mountains. In selecting a camping !
te he displayed equal skill. Wood. {
ater and grass began to fill his
oughts near shutdown, and when |
ese requisites for camping ground I
esented themselves, old Bill sprang S
ON his saddle. unpacked his animals, 4