Trapper sitting astride his horse in middle of river, trapper’s back to viewer. Trapper is looking over his left shoulder preparing to raise rifle. Far left Native American on horse charging through marshes. Color image
Throughout their images of the West, Currier & Ives promoted the ideal frontiersman: a bearded, hardy adventurer who could handle himself in any situation. Here, however, the fate of the trapper is unclear. The man sits on a horse, his back to the viewer, as he gazes into the distance at two quickly approaching Native Americans. The trapper’s horse appears to be stuck in the swampy water and the trapper may have to engage in battle against the two warriors using a gun with only one bullet.
