Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-02-12

showed a disposition TO trade. In iht
meanwhile. number Of squaws had made
their appearance, all sea,ed ast,ide'
their ponies, ieading mules. and carrying
baskets cont. ming jerked horse meat ane
mezcn', which they wished to exchange
for clothing, &c. This mezcal is prepared
Gu, of the bulb of large plan, Of the sam'
name, which is baked in . kiln, anc
Gu, up into small slices TO dry. i
has a swedish taste, and is no doub
very nutritious, being their principal article
of food. The mezcal wine. so common
IN Mexico. is a product Of The same plant
| We exchanged number Of worn cut stock
Tor fresh. giving one, two, and three for q
good mule, and always some clothing,
ps'ols, or something else into the bargain.
They had some very fine mules, but pre-
fered horses, which favored Us in ex-
changing. They were very eager to ge,
strip. or pitches of red flannel. but pre-
ferrcd n white shirt to red one. We
procured fine mule "A Amerlcan) OF them,
which had been left BY Gen. Kearney three
years ago. They were dressrd in a
variety Of styles some of the men wore
head dress, trimmed with gay !ealhers. but
The majority. and ali the squsws. were
| are headed. Win, few articles of cio,h.
ing they had, we're principally Mexican
goods. Some OF them wore buck-skn
hunting shirt, others simple 6reech
cloth 2rt about their !oins" h'e the
Children were entirely naked. They all
wore moccasins, some OF which extended
almost to The knees. Some Of their horses
are " shod' with raw hide, 10 pro,ec, The
hoof from The sharp stones. One OF the
souaws had child Iashed fas, in a very
roughly constructed wicker basket, which
she swung upon her hack. by means Of
band across her forehead. Ou, OF curios-
itv, some of Us took particular notice OF
the papoose, caressing it, &c. which in
stead OF fa'iering the mother, amused her
very much. suppose that their lords"
never deign to notice the papoosc. thinking
ii out Of place. unmanly. and he
meath their dignity. Like all oher In
dian tribes, the females are the drudges.
There WAS hoy am""es. their number,
about fifteen years ole. ,ha, particularly
attracted our attention. The color of his
hair. complexion. features. &c, plainly
bespoke that he vas he child of white ra.
rents. BY what means he came amongst
these rowing savages, is more than We can
learn; bu, he was no doubt stolen BY them
when very young, for he can not speak
English, ,and IS not Mexican. fle appears
more inI-I'yen, than the rest. who paid
him a yrea, deal of deierence. consulting
him in all their trades. He appeared very
intimate with n good looking squaw Of
about The same age, ~ no seemed to share his
superiority. Her features were regular.
with fine, intelligent expression Of count.
enance, only waning becoming dress to
give her civilized appearance. The rest
Of the sGuaws were Of low stature, coarse
featured and uncomely. The old chief
visited our camp in the evening and after
holding talk respecting our road through
his country, &C.. ordered his people to
leave, and in few moments not an Indian
was 10 be seen the squaws carried off
the newly acquired goods. animals, &c. /;
The men mounted The horses and rode a,
full speed. 1t surprised Us to see the spr,
and animation which our jaded animals
assumed in the hands Of their new masters.
They rode without bride, and are the
most exper. horsemen We have yet seen.
exceIlrng The New Mexicans. While ex
changing for u mule, which squaw had
in charge, she saw me display to another
n 10, # red beads afier the bargain for
The mule was closed, she gave me to un.
dpr,,and That she wanted the beads she
had seen, as a reward for her interest in
he trade. and would have all The beads or
keep the mule. or course ] was obliged
10 yield. for procuring fresh animals was
ol the utmost importance 10 Us. They are
very avaricious, and have lntle regard for
heir word of honor, when sel:.inisrest is
l, stake. They care nothing abou, money.
md prefer a new brass button TO a hall
,ngle they had lille amongst them.
,ut did no, know the value oft. We had
,ne display of''eIiquet.e' worthy Of imi
alton by a more civilized race Of people
y hle the old chief was holding his talk
With our captain. the Mexican guide ven.
ured to say something on the subject. hen
he chief ordered him to ''hold his Tongue"
aging tha, i, was enough for ono man to
peak a, once. Aware Of their repuied
reachery and not putting much confidence
n their protesta,ions of friendship, we
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