••* THE MEDICINE SHOT. 



with tbem ; yet, on such occasions, they have unifomiily declared the armi»- 

 t.ce 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 



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

 oped in the following example : 



Several years ago, two trappers, in their excursions for beaver, di&. 

 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 

 ■peedy transition to the Spirit Land. 



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

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

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

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

 Ignorant of their presence. 



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

 •eiang his hands, claimed his protection. The excitement of the moment 

 feaving subsided, he replied : — 



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

 fee said that tlie Blackfoot is imgrateful. Come with me and you are 

 safe." 



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

 fuests of his own family. 



Everything that generous hospitality could devise for comfort and pleas- 

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

 gier in their attesUtion of irieudship and good will, and repeatedly solicited 

 ^m to remain and join tlie tribe. 



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

 SiJtance en route, and left to choose their own course of travel, with the 

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

 ^i enemies !"* 



• The Blackfeet are generally accounted brave, though instancea have been 

 BBOwn of three or four whites defeating a large party of them. On one occasion 

 toree trappers fell into an arabascade of these Indians, and two of them were instantly 

 ehot from their horses, but the third was left untouched, and spurring his animal ta 

 too height of its speed, broke through the whole throng andwassoon out of reach. 



Four mounted Indians immediately started in pursuit, and gained rapidly upon 

 him tiU they came within shooting distance, when the lone trapper turned upon them, 



r^ '^l , "^ double-barreled rifle picked off two of their number, and agam fled. 



Confident of securing their intended victim, now that they supposed hLs fire-arms 

 were uncharged, the remainir^ two hurried after him, and in a few moments were 

 wthin range of pistol-shot. The trapper then again halted, and the discharge of a 

 pistol brought the third to the ground. 



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

 plete, had not the terrified savage, m his tiuTi, fled with the utmost precipitancy. The 

 trapper pursued, but wax far in the rear when the Blackfoot regained his com- 

 rades, and hurriedly exclaimed : 



"Uaa,ta,m ! flee ! It wa« the Big MeiUcine wo pursued, and at hia word three 

 ««v wvrlon breMbe not, and oi four I only hare eeeaped ! Hi« Hingis medicuie 



