the coolness of veterans for the conflict that was sure to come,
within the next few minutes.

The powder was distributed among the trappers, who were more eager
than ever to attack their old enemies, who were as ready as they
for the conflict. Nearly two hundred yards separated the combatants,
when the mountaineers, leaving their horses behind, advanced on
foot. The Blackfeet stationed themselves behind rocks and trees
and defiantly awaited the attack.

In a few minutes the most savage fight of the day was raging. A
hundred rifles were flashing in every direction and the yells of
the red men mingled with the shouts of the excited mountaineers.

As the warriors had used every means to shelter themselves, it
was necessary to dislodge them before they could be driven back.
Without remaining together in a compact mass, the trappers made
for them with the fierceness of tigers.

The result of this charge were a number of remarkable combats. A
hunter would dash at a warrior crouching behind some rock, and the
two would begin dodging, advancing, retreating, firing, striking
and manoeuvering against each other. Sometimes one would succeed and
sometimes the other. The Blackfoot, finding the situation becoming
too hot, would break for other cover and probably would be shot on
the run or would escape altogether. Again, it would be the white
man who would be just a second too late in discharging his gun and
would pay the penalty with his life.

At last the Indians began falling back and the mountaineers pushing