A couple of Trader/Trappers are dressed up, packed up, and preparing to move out and seek some folks for trade.  Those people may be watching from the ridge.  A spokesman or leader rides to parley with them as the rest of the scouting party waits, plainly in view.   If this is the tribe they seek, the traders will try to buy time and good will.  When the goods are mostly gone, they will augment their profits with some trapping and trading with other people. If they are successful, they will return next season and do it again.  If they fail, they probably will be facing much bigger problems and may never be seen again.  Tough job.