Author’s Note…

Before the pioneers and wagon trains, before the cowboys and herds of cattle, there were the Mountain Men—taming, exploring, and oftentimes dying in the New Frontier.

Many were trappers, and they needed a practical way to get their coveted beaver hides to the East Coast. Between the years 1825-1840 the rendezvous came into being. These gatherings were an amazing confluence of humanity bringing together the good, the bad, and the you name it, crossing paths head-on, some by design, some by accident.

French, English, Americans, and Native tribes met in the summer for a mere few weeks of organized chaos, friendly competition, and serious trading. Entrepreneurs brought supplies from back East to exchange for the hides used to fashion haute couture in the form of top hats and coats for high society folks. But all was not fun and games.

The American fur trade companies were at odds with the Hudson’s Bay Company, owned by the British and known as the HBC. Some of the French and Indians were at odds with all who came to invade their territory. It was a tumultuous era when telling friend from foe could mean the difference between life and death. And loyalty, as well as knowing how to live free and in partnership with the Stony Mountains, was all that kept a man or woman alive.

~*~

For your reference, a glossary of terms is listed at the back of the book. Waugh!