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 why he should join one that was still more
numerous. The reason he did so was because they were going into the
very heart of the Blackfoot country. They had suffered so much from
these daring marauders that they knew there would be no safety
unless they went in strong force. Furthermore, the whites had
so many old scores to settle with those redskins that they meant
to invite attack from them. If the Blackfeet would only offer the
opportunity for battle, the trappers meant to give them their fill.

The formidable company arranged matters according to a system.
Dividing into two equal parties, the duty of one was made to trap
beaver, while the other furnished food and guarded the property.
By this means, they would always be in shape to meet their sworn
foes, while the real business which brought them into the country
would not be neglected.

The hunters were confident they would not be left alone very long.
The Blackfeet would resent the invasion of their hunting grounds,