Many of the warriors had obtained rifles.

The itinerant trader could not refrain from furnishing the Indians with guns and ammunition, at the exorbitant prices which the savages were ready to pay.

It shows the superiority of the white men, that fifty of them ventured to enter upon these plains and into these defiles, where thousands of these well-armed warriors were watching for their destruction.
The enterprise proved more bold than successful.

The trappers found the Indians so vigilant and hostile, that it was necessary to protect themselves by an intrenched camp.

They had to adopt the most wearisome precautions to protect their animals, never allowing them to graze beyond rifle distance from the camp, unless under a strong guard.