»•* THE MEDICINE SHOT. 



with them ; yet, od such occasions, they have uniformily declared the armb' 

 tlce a temporary one, and in force only for the time being. 



Instances have been known of trappers penetrating into their villages 

 unawares, who received the treatment of guests during their stay, and 

 were allowed to depart unmolested upon expressing their wishes to that 

 effect 



The bright spots in the character of these Indians are more fuUy devel- 

 oped in the following example : 



Several years ago, two trappers, in their excursions for beaver, dis- 

 covered a Blackfoot engaged in butchering. Thinking the present a favor- 

 able opportunity to reduce the number of their enemies, they cautiously 

 approached the unsuspecting operator with the design of affording him a 

 speedy transition to the Spirit Land. 



Having advanced within gun-shot, they were almost in the very act of 

 firing, when a casual glance revealed the dusky forms of savages who 

 surrounded them at no great distance, and in such a manner as to preclude 

 all possibility of escape ; but as yet, however, the intended victim was 

 ignorant of their presence. 



On observing the danger of then: situation, they rushed up to him, and, 

 eeixing liis hands, claimed his protection. The excitement of the moment 

 iiaving subsided, he replied : — 



" Your hves belong to me, — you might have taken mine ; it must not 

 k9 said that the Blackfoot is unffrateml. Come with me and you are 

 gafe." 



Upon this he led the way to the village near by, and made them the 

 (:jiie8t8 of his own family. 



Everything that generous hospitality could devise for comfort and pleas- 

 ure, was placed at their disposal. The villagers seemed to vie with each 

 tMier in their attestation of friendship and good will, and repeatedly solicited 

 ^m to remain and join the tribe. 



However, on expressing a wish to leave, they were escorted for some 

 Stance en rouie^ and left to choose tlieir own course of travel, with the 

 ^uting monition : " We are now friends. — When next we meet it will be 

 ^ enemies !"* 



• The Blackfeet are generally acceunted brave, though instances have been 

 lowwn of three or four whites defeating a large party of them- On one occasion 

 three trapper.s fell into an arabuscade of these Indians, and two of them were instantly 

 thot from their horses, but the third was left untouched, and spurring his animal to 

 the height of its speed, broke through the whole throng and was soon out of reach. 



_ Four mounted Indians immediately siaried in pursuit, and gained rapidly upon 

 kiro till they came witlun shooting distance, when the lone trapper turned upon them, 

 ftnd with Ids double*barreled rifle picked off two of their number, and again fled. 



Confident of securing their intended victim, now that they supposed his fire-amw 

 were uncharged, the remaining two hurried after him, and in a few momenta were 

 Wthin i-ange of pLstol-shot. The trapper then again halted, and the discharge of a 

 pistol brought the tlurd to the groundf. 



Drawing forth a second from his belt, the work of slaughter would have been com- 

 |dete, had not the terrified savage, in liis turn, fled with the utmost precipitancy. The 

 trapper pursued, but was far in the rear when the Blackfoot regained his rom- 

 raaea, and hurriedly exclaimed : 



" m8t«, ye ! flee ! It was the Big Medicine we pursued, and at his word thre« 

 if «w wamon braath* not, and of feur I only bav« eacaped ! His single medicin*- 



