Eventually he ran into some Sioux Indians. They helped him clean up his torn up back. Indians are usually respectful of someone who is attacked by a bear and survives. They helped him get downstream where he eventually reached Fort Kiowa. He hoped to reoutfit himself to go after the two men who had abandoned him. In a couple days, five other men in a dugout canoe were going north to trade. Hugh went with them as far as Mandan village. From there he went overland toward the mouth of the Yellowstone and Henry's fort. Shortly after they set him ashore, his friends were attacked and killed by Arikaras. Hugh barely escaped death himself, when out of nowhere, a Mandan brave rescued him and took him to a nearby fort near modern day Mandan, South Dakota. Hugh rested only briefly before going on his way. He was on foot and carried only a rifle for defense. It was late November by now and there was snow on the ground. He also traveled alone.
When he reached the fort, he found that his former comrades were no longer there. He continued on toward the Big Horn River, where signs pointed they had gone. He reached the place where the Little Big Horn joins the Big Horn. Here he met up with Jim Bridger. He was surprised to see he was a youth of 19. He saw his youth and he saw his fear. He decided to let it go, for Jim had been coaxed into it by Fitzgerald. Hugh decided to take his revenge solely on Fitzgerald, who still had his favorite rifle. But he would have to wait until winter passed.
