NARRATIVE OF 1853. 99 
supposed resemblance to that geometrical figure. These and other elevated points will enable 
us to get a view of the approaches to the Rocky mountains. 
At our noon halt, or near by, was the scene of a sanguinary conflict between the Gros Ventres 
and the Crows, in 1849, in which the latter were all killed. Several of those travelling in our 
company figured in the action. A party of Crows to the number of twenty-two were concealed 
in the hollow just in advance of where we dined, for the purpose of stealing horses from the 
Gros Ventres’ camp, consisting of two hundred lodges. Being discovered, the Gros Ventres 
surrounded them and threw up dust in the air, which was carried by a strong wind in the 
faces of the Crows, blinding them, when the Gros Ventres rushed upon them and killed the 
whole number without losing a man. Among the Crows was a Gros Ventre who had been 
taken prisoner in early life. He begged for his life, told who he was, but against him very 
properly they executed their wrath, telling him he had no business to come on such an errand 
against his own people. The Crows fought bravely; one of their number, with knife in hand, 
jumped down a hill some sixty feet, but was despatched before he could do any injury. None 
were left to carry home the news. 
We were off about noon; passed over the prairie, and descended in the valley of the Teton, 
where we met Mr. Clarke, in charge of Fort Benton, who came out to meet us, The express 
which I had despatched from the Big Muddy reached Fort Benton in due season, and had gone 
back to meet us; but having taken the route through the Bear's Paw mountain, they struck 
our trail in our rear and had not yet come up with us. We arrived at Fort Benton at 31 
- o'clock, where we were received with a salute of fifteen guns. 
