In the fall of 1808, John Colter and John Potts, both former members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, were trapping on 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. He headed out across the plains and outdistanced all but one pursuer. Nearly exhausted, Colter turned on the Indian and killed him, then continued to the river and hid under a snag. The Blackfeet searched for him but finally gave up at darkness, and Colter emerged and headed for the trapper’s fort on the Big Horn River, a journey he made in seven days.