speedily joined them, and once more drove the Indians into their
fort. Several of the whites had been wounded though not dangerously,
and both parties having had enough of fighting, the battle ended.



CHAPTER VI.


The British and American Trapper -- Hunting on the Laramie -- The
Deserters -- The Vain Pursuit -- Arrival of Friends -- The Return
Journey -- The Night Alarm -- The Attack Upon the Camp -- Pursuit
and Recovery of Horses.

A half century ago the vast region beyond the Rocky Mountains was
comparatively unknown and unexplored. Its general features of course
were understood, but the interior was like the central portion of
Australia or Africa. Clarke and Lewis made their famous expedition
to Oregon during the early days of the century, and helped to turn
general attention in that direction. Its growth and development
since then is one of the wonders of the age.

But there was one class (if the word may be used), who never
hesitated to penetrate the wildest and most dangerous recesses of
the far West and Northwest: those were the hunters and trappers.
As we have already stated, the employees of the venerable and
all embracing Hudson Bay Company ranged over British America and
through Oregon, to which vast territory they possessed the clear
legal right, besides which they and the trappers of the American
Fur Company frequently trespassed on each others reserves, and not