ce took place a few nights after the return of Carson
and his friends from an extended bison hunt. Their horses and mules were
corralled near the post and a sentinel was on duty at all hours of the
night to prevent the animals being stolen by the Indians who were always
prowling through the neighborhood.

In the dim uncertain light, just beyond midnight, the sentinel saw two
men walk forward from the darkness, and without any appearance of haste,
let down the bars and drive out the stock. Very naturally he concluded
they were his friends who intended to take out the animals to graze. As
there was nothing more for him to do, he sought his quarters, lay down
and went to sleep.

In the morning not a horse or a mule was to be found. The two
individuals who had let down the bars and driven them out, were
Blackfeet Indians, whose complete success was due to their amazing
audacity. Had they shown any hesitation or haste, the suspicions of the
sentinel would have been aroused, but when the truth became known, he
was the most astonished man at the fort.

The hunters were in a most sorry plight, for the Blackfeet having made
a clean sweep, they were without the means of pursuing and recovering
their property. The parties who belonged at the fort had suffered a
somewhat similar trick a short time before from the same tribe, so that
only a few rickety horses remained in their possession.

Under the circumstances, the trappers were compelled to accept their
misfortune with grim philosophy, and await the arrival of the rest
of the party, who had promised to rejoin them after completing their
business at Fort Walla Walla.

Sure enough, a few weeks later, their friends appeared and
providentially indeed they brought with them an extra supply of
excellent horses. The trappers were in overflowing spirits once more and
soon started for the general rendezvous on Green River.

Other trappers continued to arrive for a number of days, until about all
that were expected had come in. Trade and barter then began and lasted
some three weeks. The scene was picturesque and stirring and there was
much hand shaking and pleasant wishes when the time came to separate.

Kit Carson left the employ of the Hudson Bay Company trader and attached
himself to a party numbering fully a hundred who had determined to
trap along the Yellowstone. It will be recalled that Carson once quit a
company of trappers because it was too large, and it may be wondered