In the fall of 1808, John Colter and John Potts, both former members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, were trapping up the Jefferson River when a band of Blackfeet, angered by previous encounters with white men, attacked them. Potts was killed, and Colter was stripped and told to run for his life. Crossing the plains, Colter outdistanced all but one pursuer, then, nearly exhausted, turned on the Indian and killed him. He continued to the river and hid under a snag while the Blackfeet searched for him until darkness, then gave up. Colter emerged and made his way to the trapper's fort on the Big Horn River, completing the journey in seven days.