According to most history books, on the return trip in 1806 Lewis, Drouillard and the
Field brothers encountered eight members of the Blackfeet Tribe (Pikuni) and made
camp for the night. During this first day and night, Lewis explained the United States
intent to bring about a comprehensive peace between all the Indian tribes of the west.
He went on to add that the Shoshones and Nez Perces mortal enemies of the Blackfeet
had already agreed to this peace and would be receiving guns and supplies because of it.
To the Blackfeet, American plans represented a direct threat. As far as the Indians were
concerned, giving guns to their adversaries only could result in a weakening of Blackfeet power.
That night, the Blackfeet attempted to steal the expeditions guns. Their plans went awry and
in the chaos that ensued Lewis and Reuben Field each killed a Blackfeet warrior. The surviving
Blackfeet returned to their tribe and communicated what they had learned of Americas goals for
the region. From that point forward, the Blackfeet regarded the Americans with hostility and acted toward them similarly.