On the Green River--In the Blackfoot Country--The Blackfeet--An
Unwelcome Visit--The Pursuit and Parley--Dissolution of the Peace
Congress.
The day was drawing to a close when Carson set out for camp, which was
not reached until after dark. His companions did not feel any special
alarm over his continued absence, for the good reason that they were
confident he could take care of himself no matter in what labyrinth of
peril he might become involved.
It was too late to send for the carcass of the elk and more than likely
it had already been devoured by wolves. So the trappers made their
breakfast on one of the beavers found in their traps, and went into
camp to await the arrival of the main body of trappers, which Carson
was confident would come that way. Some days later they put in an
appearance, and the company proceeded to the general rendezvous on Green
River, where were found assembled the principal trappers of the Rocky
Mountains. There were fully two hundred divided into two camps. What a
history could have been written from the thrilling experiences of such a
body of men!
They had gathered at the rendezvous to buy what supplies they needed
and to dispose of their peltries. It was several weeks before the
negotiations were over, when the assemblage broke up into smaller
companies which started for their destinations hundreds of miles apart.
Carson joined a party numbering about fifty who intended to trap near
the headwaters of the Missouri. Hundreds of beavers had been taken in
that section, but poor success went with the large band of which Carson
was a member. That was bad enough, but they were in a neighborhood
which, it may be said, was the very heart of the Blackfoot country,
and those hostiles were never more active and vigilant in their warfare
against the invaders.
The Blackfeet or Satsika today, are the most westerly tribe of the
Algonquin family of Indians, extending from the Hudson Bay to the
Missouri and Yellowstone. They number over 12,000 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 apology which
was no more genuine than many made by his civilized brethren under
somewhat similar circumstances. He expressed great surprise to learn
that the horses belonged to their good friends the trappers. They had
supposed all along that they were the property of the Snake Indians
whom the Blackfeet considered it their duty to despoil on every suitable
occasion.
This glaring misrepresentation did not deceive the man who was acting as
spokesman for his side. By way of reply, he asked that if such was
the case, why had not the Blackfeet come forward on discovering their
mistake, greeted their white brothers as friends and returned their
property to them.
The replies were evasive and the hunters became convinced that the
Indians were seeking to gain time for some sinister purpose; but a full
parley having been agreed upon, both parties left their guns behind and
advanced to where their representatives were holding their interview.
The Blackfeet still professed the most ardent friendship, and as an
emphatic token of the same, produced the calumet and began smoking the
pipe of peace. The tobacco having been lit, each took several whiffs
and then passed it to his neighbor, who did the same until the round was
completed. This solemn pledge of good will having been exchanged, the
convention or peace congress was opened as may be said, in due and
ancient form.
Carson and his companions were distrustful from the start, though it was
hard for them to decide the meaning of the prolonged negotiations, since
no one could see what the Blackfeet were to gain by such a course. They
may have hoped to deceive the hunters and throw them off their guard,
but, if such was the case, they failed.
First of all, the leading warriors indulged in several long speeches
which were without point, but what was said in reply could admit of no
doubt as to its meaning. The trappers understood the Blackfoot tongue
well enough to make their responses models in the way of brevity and
force. They said that it was idle to talk of friendship or peace until
the stolen property was returned to its owners. The Indians still
attempted to postpone or evade, but the complainants were in no mood
for trifling and they repeated their declaration more positively than
before.
The Blackfeet were much more numerous than the whites, and confident of
their strength, began to bluster and to assert that whatever they did
would be dictated by their own wishes and not by any fear of their
visitors. Whether they desired to avoid a fight or not can only be
conjectured, but they finally sent back to where the horses were
tethered and caused five of the worst to be picked out and brought
forward.
When the trappers inquired the meaning of this proceeding, the Indians
said that it was the best they could do and the hunters must be content.
This last insult was the spark which exploded the magazine. Instantly
every white man ran for his gun, and the Blackfeet did the same. A few
seconds after they wheeled about and the sanguinary fight began.
Kit Carson and a companion were the first to obtain their guns and as
a consequence they led the advance. Each selected a warrior who was
partially hidden by the trunk of a tree. Carson was in the act of
firing, when he observed that his friend was examining the lock of his
gun all unmindful of the fact that one of the Blackfeet had levelled his
weapon directly at his breast. On the instant, Kit changed his aim and
shot the savage dead, thereby saving the life of his friend, who could
not have escaped had the weapon of his adversary been discharged.