Part 5: The Old Trapper, Chapters 25 through 28 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 25: Burial for Bear Claw

After the winter campaign of 1876-77, the power of the Indians is in deep decline. Although the Mountain Men help with occasional uprisings, their lives forever are changing. With the decrease of the Indian population, comes an influx of Texan cowboys herding their cattle into the vast and empty plains—an unwelcome sight to Johnston and the others.

Although fur is scarce, Johnston and Gue take off for a trapping expedition. After they load up their bounty, they drop by Bear Claw Chris Lapp's cabin to check on the old man. Sadly, they find him dead and scalped. He had been shot with a stinger gun by Blackfeet. Gue and Johnston find the three Blackfeet murderers at a campfire where they are trying to open...