Captain Lewis and his men, having travelled northwest about twenty miles from the great falls of the Missouri, struck the trail of a wounded buffalo.  They were dismayed by the sight, for that assured them that there were Indians in the vicinity; and the most natural thing to expect was that these were Blackfeet, or Minnetarees; both of these tribes are vicious and rascally people, and they would not hesitate to attack a small party and rob them of their guns, if they thought themselves able to get away with them.

They were now in the midst of vast herds of buffalo, so numerous that the whole number seemed one immense herd.  Hanging on the flanks were many wolves; hares and antelope were also abundant.  On the fourth day out, Captain Lewis struck the north fork of Maria’s River, now known as Cut-bank River, in the northwest corner of Montana.  He was desirous of following up the stream, to ascertain, if possible, whether its fountain-head was below, or above, the boundary between the United States and the British possessions.  Bad weather and an accident to his chronometer prevented his accomplishing his purpose, and, on the twenty-sixth of July, he turned reluctantly back, giving the name of Cape Disappointment to his last camping-place.  Later in that day, as they were travelling down the main stream (Maria’s River), they encountered the Indians whom they had hoped to avoid.  Let us read the story as it is told in the journal of the party:—­

“At the distance of three miles we ascended the hills close to the river-side, while Drewyer pursued the valley of the river on the opposite side.  But scarcely had Captain Lewis reached the high plain when he saw, about a mile on his left, a collection of about thirty horses.  He immediately halted, and by the aid of his spy-glass discovered that one-half of the horses were saddled, and that on the eminence above the horses several Indians were looking down toward the river, probably at Drewyer.  This was a most unwelcome sight.  Their probable numbers rendered any contest with them of doubtful issue; to attempt to escape would only invite pursuit, and our horses were so bad that we must certainly be overtaken; besides which, Drewyer could not yet be aware that the Indians were near, and if we ran he would most probably be sacrificed.  We therefore determined to make the most of our situation, and advance toward them in a friendly manner.  The flag which we had brought in case of any such accident was therefore displayed, and we continued slowly our march toward them.  Their whole attention was so engaged by Drewyer that they did not immediately discover us.  As soon as they did see us, they appeared to be much alarmed and ran about in confusion; some of them came down the hill and drove their horses within gunshot of the eminence, to which they then returned, as if to await our arrival.  When we came within a quarter of a mile, one of the Indians mounted and rode at full speed to receive us; but when within a hundred