The fur-traders at that time went forth in armed bands into the heart of the Indians' country, and he who went forth did so "with his life in his hand." As in the case of the soldier who went out to battle, there was great probability that he might never return.
The band of which Walter Cameron was the chief had, many months before, started from one of the distant posts of Oregon on a hunting expedition into the then totally unknown lands of the Snake Indians.
It consisted of about sixty men, thirty women, and as many children of various ages--about a hundred and twenty souls in all.

Many of the boys were capable of using the gun and setting a beaver-trap.

The men were a most motley set.

There were Canadians, half-breeds, Iroquois, and Scotchmen.

Most of the women had Indian blood in their veins, and a few were pure Indians.
The equipment of this strange band consisted of upwards of two hundred beaver-traps--which are similar to our rat-traps, with this difference, that they have two springs and no teeth--seventy guns, a few articles for trade with the Indians, and a large supply of powder and ball; the whole--men, women, children, goods, and chattels--being carried on the backs of nearly four hundred horses.