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