Showdown with the Blackfoot Warriors

By John J. Law

The tale began in the foothills of Montana in 1836. A small and compact group of mountain men made their way wearily to the south, trudging along as best as they could. The mountain men were headed for the Salmon River and kept their eyes and ears open. The men were weary but still remained alert. After all, the wild outdoors was just that. Wild and dangerous. The men were mountain men, and that was also an apt description for the kind of lives they led. The men were on the lookout for game to hunt, but also were alert in case any natives came around to attack them. Attacks from Indians were common in those days of the uncharted West, and especially fearsome were the Blackfoot tribe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223383345

Book preview

One: The Herd of Buffaloes

The tale began in the foothills of Montana in 1836. A small and compact group of mountain men made their way wearily to the south, trudging along as best as they could. The mountain men were headed for the Salmon River and kept their eyes and ears open. The men were weary but still remained alert. After all, the wild outdoors was just that. Wild and dangerous. The men were mountain men, and that was also an apt description for the kind of lives they led. The men were on the lookout for game to hunt, but also were alert in case any natives came around to attack them. Attacks from Indians were common in those days of the uncharted West, and especially fearsome were the Blackfoot tribe.

The Blackfoot were fierce warriors and master riders who back in the day controlled many parts of Montana, Idaho and Alberta. They were known to fight ferociously and tenaciously, with a warrior spirit that refused to give up. They were also known to have a proud history and culture that encouraged fighting their enemies to the death to protect their lands. The Blackfoot did not care whom they fought. Whether it was itinerant trappers or other tribes, if they thought they were encroaching on their lands they would fight, and often fight to the bitter end. An encounter with the dreaded Blackfoot was not something the small band of mountain men looked forward to, and would rather avoid, if they could.

It was Ivan Munroe, the youngest trapper in the bunch that first spotted them. Because of his youth, Munroe was arguably one of the stronger mountain men in their group. He had sharper eyes and a better sense of smell and hearing. His overall instincts were much better than the others and he had displayed a natural inclination for this kind of life before. While some of the others found the life difficult and tedious, Munroe never complained. He took to the wilds like a fish to water. It was almost as if Munroe was born to be a mountain man. It was only natural perhaps that Munroe would be the first to spot the large black spot in the distance. The spot was quite small at first, but it was quickly getting larger, and Munroe and the others instantly knew what it was.

They're coming here! We better make way for 'em! Munroe said.

His words were met not with fear or panic, but with excitement and anticipation. The others were more than eager for whatever the dark spot was, to arrive. The other mountain men seemed jubilant that the mysterious black spot was coming closer to them. The black spot seemed to be coming in at a rapid pace. It seemed to get larger and larger as it drew closer, almost as if it were swallowing up the plains itself. There was also a loud noise that accompanied it, as if