in close
proximity, the most important of which is the tribe called the Crows.
When Kit Carson first entered upon his wild career the Blackfeet
Indians numbered nearly thirty thousand souls. They were greatly
reduced in numbers within the next six or seven years, between 1832
and 1839. In the last-named year, in consequence of the ravages of
the small pox, heretofore alluded to and which prevailed the
year previous, they had lost at least fifty per cent. The Indian
computations of 1850, according to Brownell, give their numbers at
only about thirteen thousand. They are one of the finest races of the
American Aborigines. Powerful in frame and development; well trained
in horsemanship, although in this they are surpassed by the Camanches;
capable of great endurance; and, usually well fitted as to arms,
dress, horse trappings, _et caetera_, they generally prove knotty
customers as enemies. We ought not to pass by this notice of the
Blackfeet Indians without calling the attention of the inquisitive
reader to a remarkable proof which is afforded by the whole
intercourse of these western trappers with the Blackfeet Indians, as
thus detailed by Kit Carson, of an assertion hazarded some years ago
by Charles De Wolf Brownell, in his admirable work upon the Indian
races of North and South America. On pages 465-6, Mr. Brownell comes
to the defence of the Crow tribe of Indians, which, up to that time,
had been characterized as a "lawless, thieving horde of savages."
"But," says Mr. Brownell, "those best acquainted with their character
and disposition, speak of them as honest and trustworthy." The
adventures of Kit Carson among both the Crow and the Blackfeet
Indians, we think, demonstrate pretty conclusively which of these
contiguous tribes are the horse stealers. The Crows, it will be
remembered, are more particularly inhabitants of the mountainous
regions. The Blackfeet have ever been their sworn and implacable foes.
Their burials of the hatchet have been few and far between, and
never in deep soil. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at that
the Blackfeet reputation should extend to the Crows; but, although
circumstances exist which condemn the latter, they are few in number
compared with the sins laid by the traders and trappers at the
tent-doors of the former.

After the lapse of one month McCoy made his appearance and, most
opportunely, brought an extra supply of animals. The camp was soon
struck and the whole band started