Darkness closed in upon the contending forces, and the assailants
ceased firing and encamped for the night on the bank of the river.
They were on the qui vive through the still hours, and so eager
for the attack that with the earliest streakings of light in the
east, they plunged into the stream and made for the barricades. It
was not to be supposed that the Blackfeet would be taken off their
guard, and the trappers expected to reach the defences through a
hot fusillade from the dusky defenders.

To their surprise, however, not a single gun was discharged and
they rushed pell mell over the rugged fortifications to engage
the enemy in hand to hand conflict. To their chagrin, however, not
a solitary Blackfoot was visible. Despite the watchfulness of the
white men, the entire Indian force had withdrawn during the night
without arousing the least suspicion on the part of the watchers.

But the trappers were too wise to misconstrue the action of the
Blackfeet. Their withdrawal was a strategic movement, and did not
by any means signify they were afraid of the large force or that they
would prefer not to molest them. The signs around the fortifications
showed that the Indians had suffered severely and they would never
content themselves until full retaliation had been made.

The trappers returned to camp, where a long council was held. The
conclusion was that the Blackfoot village was near by, and when they
learned of the severe punishment received by the scouting party,
they would lose no time in entering upon a campaign of revenge.
As the Blackfeet nation included several thousand warriors, there
was reason to fear they would overwhelm the trappers, despite