Black Road and an identically-dressed companion, very probably his brother Stinking Bear, are shown wrapped in buffalo robes, leaving the village early on a cold morning. Calico head scarves are tied under their chins, to protect their ears. The holstered pistols on their belts may signal the beginning of a war expedition. In any event, they are going out to collect their horses, as indicated by the trailing lariats. If the intent had been to show the beginning of a pedestrian expedition to steal horses, the men would not be dragging their ropes all the way to enemy country.