2,000 warriors about equally
divided between Montana and British America. They have always been
a daring and warlike people, and the early explorers of the Far West
probably met with more trouble from them than from any other tribe on
the continent.

Carson and his companions ran in difficulty at once. The Blackfeet
seemed to swarm through the woods, and sent in their treacherous shots
from the most unexpected quarters. Whoever made the round of the traps
in the morning was almost certain to be fired upon. Matters became
so bad that after a time the trappers decided to leave the country.
Accordingly they made their way to the Big Snake River where they
went into quarters for the winter. Even there they were not safe from
molestation at the hands of their old enemies the Blackfeet.

One night, when there was no moon or stars, a band of warriors stole
into camp and ran off about twenty of the best horses. This outrage
touched the hunters in the most sensitive part of their nature, and
the truth no sooner became known than they unanimously agreed that the
animals not only should be recovered but the audacious aggressors should
be chastised.

Twelve men were selected for the most difficult and dangerous task and
need we give the name of the youth who was made the leader?

With his usual promptness, Carson took the trail which was followed
without trouble over the snow. The Blackfeet had reason to fear some
such demonstration, and they hurried off with such speed that they were
not overtaken until fifty miles from camp.

The situation was a novel one. The Indians had come to a halt and the
horses were grazing on the side of a hill where the wind had blown away
the snow. The Blackfeet had on snowshoes which gave them an advantage
over the trappers. The latter galloped in the direction of their
horses, the moment they caught sight of them. The Blackfeet fired at the
trappers, who returned a scattering volley but no one was hurt on either
side. Then followed skirmishing and manoeuvering for several minutes,
without either party gaining advantage. Finally the Blackfeet asked for
a parley to which the trappers assented.

In accordance with the usual custom, one of the Indians advanced to a
point midway between the two parties and halted. At the same time, one
of the trappers went forward, the rest of the whites and red men keeping
their distance and watching them.

The Blackfoot opened business by what might be termed an