than their rivals. In their eagerness to mislead them they betrayed themselves into danger, andgot
into a region infested with the Blackfeet. They soon found that foes were on the watch for them;but
they were experienced in Indian warfare, and not to be surprised at night, nor drawn into anambush
in the daytime. As the evening advanced, the horses were all brought in and picketed, and aguard
was stationed round the camp. At the earliest streak of day one of the leaders would mount hishorse,
and gallop off full speed for about half a mile; then look round for Indian trails, to ascertainwhether
there had been any lurkers round the camp; returning slowly, he would reconnoitre every ravineand
thicket where there might be an ambush. This done, he would gallop off in an opposite directionand
repeat the same scrutiny. Finding all things safe, the horses would be turned loose to graze, butalways under the eye of a guard.
A caution equally vigilant was observed in the march, on approaching any defile orplace where an enemy might lie in wait; and scouts were always kept in the advance,or along the ridges and rising grounds on the flanks.
At length, one day, a large band of Blackfeet appeared in the open field, but in thevicinity of rocks and cliffs. They kept at a wary distance, but made friendly signs. Thetrappers replied in the same way, but likewise kept aloof. A small party of Indiansnow advanced, bearing the pipe of peace; they were met by an equal number of whitemen, and they formed a group midway between the two bands, where the pipe wascirculated from hand to hand, and smoked with all due ceremony. An instance ofnatural affection took place at this pacific meeting. Among the free trappers in theRocky Mountain band was a spirited young Mexican named Loretto, who, in thecourse of his wanderings, had ransomed a beautiful Blackfoot girl from a band ofCrows by whom she had been captured. He made her his wife, after the Indian style,and she had followed his fortunes ever since, with the most devoted affection.
Among the Blackfeet warriors who advanced with the calumet of peace she recognized abrother.
Leaving her infant with Loretto she rushed forward and threw herself upon her brother's neck,who
clasped his long-lost sister to his heart with a warmth of affection but little compatible with thereputed stoicism of the savage.
While this scene was taking place, Bridger left the main body of trappers and rode slowlytoward
the group of smokers, with his rifle resting across the pommel of his saddle. The chief of theBlackfeet stepped forward to meet him. From some unfortunate feeling of distrust Bridgercocked
his rifle just as the chief was extending his hand in friendship. The quick ear of the savage caughtthe click of the lock; in a twinkling he grasped the barrel, forced the muzzle downward, and thecontents were discharged into the earth at his feet. His next movement was to wrest the weaponfrom
the hand of Bridger and fell him with it to the earth. He might have found this no easy task hadnot
the unfortunate leader received two arrows in his back during the struggle.
The chief now sprang into the vacant saddle and galloped off to his band. A wildhurry-skurry scene
ensued; each party took to the banks, the rocks and trees, to gain favorable positions, and anirregular
firing was kept up on either side, without much effect. The Indian girl had been hurried off byher
people at the outbreak of the affray. She would have returned, through the dangers of the fight, toher husband and her child, but was prevented by her brother. The young Mexican saw herstruggles
and her agony, and heard her piercing cries. With a generous impulse he caught up the child inhis
arms, rushed forward, regardless of Indian shaft or rifle, and placed it in safety upon her bosom.
Even the savage heart of the Blackfoot chief was reached by this noble deed. He pronouncedLoretto
a madman for his temerity, but bade him depart in peace. The young Mexican hesitated; he urgedto have his wife restored to him, but her brother interfered, and the countenance of the chief grewdark. The girl, he said, belonged to his tribe-she must remain with her people. Loretto would stillhave lingered, but his wife implored him to depart, lest his life should be endangered. It was withthe greatest reluctance that he returned to his companions.
The approach of night put an end to the skirmishing fire of the adverse parties, and thesavages drew
off without renewing their hostilities. We cannot but remark that both in this affair and that ofPierre's Hole the affray commenced by a hostile act on the part of white men at the moment whenthe Indian warrior was extending the hand of amity. In neither instance, as far as circumstanceshave
been stated to us by different persons, do we see any reason to suspect the savage chiefs ofperfidy
in their overtures of friendship. They advanced in the confiding way usual among Indians whenthey
bear the pipe of peace, and consider themselves sacred from attack. If we violate the sanctity ofthis
ceremonial, by any hostile movement on our part, it is we who incur the charge of faithlessness;and
we doubt not that in both these instances the white men have been considered by the Blackfeet asthe aggressors, and have, in consequence, been held up as men not to be trusted.
A word to conclude the romantic incident of Loretto and his Indian bride. A few monthssubsequent
to the event just related, the young Mexican settled his accounts with the Rocky MountainCompany,
and obtained his discharge. He then left his comrades and set off to rejoin his wife and childamong
her people; and we understand that, at the time we are writing these pages, he resides at atrading-house established of late by the American Fur Company in the Blackfoot country, wherehe acts as
an interpreter, and has his Indian girl with him. [Return to Contents].
