It will be recalled that Carson once quit a company of trappers because it was too large, and it may be wondered why he should join one that was still more numerous.

The reason he did so was because they were going into the very heart of the Blackfoot country.

They had suffered so much from these daring marauders that they knew there would be no safety unless they went in strong force.
Furthermore, the whites had so many old scores to settle with those redskins that they meant to invite attack from them.

If the Blackfeet would only offer the opportunity for battle, the trappers meant to give them their fill.
The formidable company arranged matters according to a system.

Dividing into two equal parties, the duty of one was made to trap beaver, while the other furnished food and guarded the property.