Famous Frontiersmen and Heroes of the Border; Their Adventurous Lives and Stirring Experiences in Pioneer Days (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1913. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... SAMUEL COLTER: AND HIS WONDERFUL RACE FOR LIFE WHEN Lewis and Clark were on their way to the Pacific coast they had with them two trappers, one of whom was to meet with extraordinary adventures. These were Samuel Colter and Lemuel Potts -- both sturdy sons of the West -- who obtained permission from the leaders of tfie expedition to remain near the headwaters of the Missouri River, in order to hunt and to trap. They intended to overtake the main body, after a short time, and hoped to obtain enough beaver skins to net them a good sum of money upon their return to civilization. You probably remember that Lewis had trouble with the Blackfeet, when near the Missouri, one of whom he had to kill because he began to run off the horses. For this reason these two trappers knew that they would have to use extreme caution or else they would fall into the dutches of some of these savages. The vengeance of an Indian is always swift and sure. Knowing that the redskins were all about them, the trappers decided upon the following plan: they would lie hidden during the day, would set their traps late in the evening, and would visit them in order to remove the game in the gray of the early morning. Success met their efforts, and, before long, they had a goodly quantity of skins. No Indians were seen, although Indian sign was abundant, and they knew that there were plenty of Blackfeet in the vicinity. One morning, while paddling up a winding stream where numerous traps were set, to their keen ears came the sound of heavy tramping. "Those are redskins," whispered Colter. "Let's decamp at once, and get back to our starting-place." But Potts thought differently. "Those are buffalo," said he. "Wait until we round the corner and you will find out that I am right." Just then th...