Vaulting from their foaming steeds they tied them to the stockades of the little fortress, which they entered in a body.
Hot haste was in every motion of these men.

They were trappers, they said, on their way to the Rocky Mountains to hunt and trade furs.

But one of their number had been treacherously murdered and scalped by a Pawnee chief, and they resolved to revenge his death by an attack on one of the Pawnee villages.

They would teach these "red reptiles" to respect white men, they would, come of it what might; and they had turned aside here to procure an additional supply of powder and lead.
In vain did the major endeavour to dissuade these reckless men from their purpose.

They scoffed at the idea of returning good for evil, and insisted on being supplied.