This assault did not disturb Plummer’s affected friendship for Crawford. Learning a few days afterwards that the latter was going to Deer Lodge for cattle, Plummer on the first opportunity told him that he should start for Fort Benton the next morning. Crawford knew that this was offered as an explanation in advance for his absence, and to throw him off his guard in the trip he contemplated making after cattle. He replied at once,
“Wait a day or two and I’ll accompany you part way.”
“No,” said Plummer, “my business is urgent.” Plummer left the next morning, accompanied by George Carrhart. Crawford found it convenient to be detained by private business, and sent his butcher in his stead, who met Plummer at the crossing of Big Hole River, and that worthy, upon being informed that Crawford was not going to Deer Lodge, returned to Bannack. Crawford was afterwards told that Plummer had made three efforts at different times to waylay and murder him on the road to Deer Lodge.
Among other devices employed, Plummer sought through his associates to accomplish the death of Crawford. He sent a notorious rough known as Bill Hunter, to engage him in a quarrel and shoot him. Hunter, meeting Crawford, told him he had something against him.
“If you want anything of me,” said Crawford, with the emphasis of his hand upon his pistol, “you can get it right straight along.”
Seeing that he would probably be killed before he could draw his pistol, or, in the sententious phrase of the country, that he could not “get the drop on him,” Hunter left, discomfited by Crawford’s bravery.
The next Sunday while Crawford and George Perkins were in conversation, in one of the saloons, Plummer came in, seemingly in great anger.
“George,” said he, addressing Perkins, “there’s a little matter between you and Crawford in which I am concerned, that’s got to be settled.”
“Well, I can’t imagine what it can be,” Crawford laughingly replied. “I’m not aware of having said or done anything concerning you, that should excite your anger or call for a settlement.”
“Oh, you needn’t laugh,” responded Plummer with an oath. “It’s got to be settled.” Turning to Perkins he continued, “You and Crawford have been telling around through the camp, that I was trying to court the squaw Catherine.” Then applying to Perkins a disgraceful epithet, he said, “You are a coward. I can whip you and Hank Crawford both, and if you are anything of a man, you will just step out of doors and fight me.”