Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-04


myself upon our fortunate escape, when
suddenly, Jim called my attention to dark
object upon the top Of q hill some distance IN
advance OF us.
Igave Il u cursory glance, and said; "Woll,
what is itP"
"An Injun on hossback," was the short,
positive answer.
/ Immediately brought my glasses TO bear,
and could distinctly see that It was indeed |
an Indian, sitting upon his horse rs motion
less MS u statue.
"what can he be doing theroP" was my
inquiry.
81 reckon from the felcr's position he
wants us to understand he's friendly, and
perhaps he wants to do u little Begin on
his own account, or may be hos spy or II
Lpan,n replied Jim. "Wbcn we git near
enough, Ill ask him who he Is"
As we approached, the guide raised his
hand, with the palm open outward, and
moved 1t rapidly across and in front OF his
face several times This signal was imme-
diately responded to by The Indian, who
made peculiar motion with his hand, SINH
lar to that made by u snake in crawling
through the grass.
Hes n Comanche," said the guide. Yer
see" continued he, "lll the different tribes
have sign by which they're known. ask
| ed him who he was, and his answer said
'Comanche,' which means snake and that
wriggin' motion is the sign of their tribe. l
s'posu you call that iclcgraphin', don't yer?"
immediately upon the Indians noticing
and answering Jim's signal, he started to-
ward us mt II furious pace.
THAT doesn't look very friendly, docs 1t,
Jimpn inquired 1, placing my hand upon my
revolver.
Don't touch yer shootn' irons said Jim;
chats alwuz their way of mcetin' strang-
crs.n
By this time, the Indian, making most
graceful circuit, approached to within about
thirty feet of us, and then suddenly refined
in his horse, and halted.
The guide rode forward and shook hands
with him, and, after few moments CONVEX
sation, motioned for us to come forward,
when Il general handshaking ensued.
This ceremony completed, the guide in
formed us that the Indian was messenger
from "Chiquto," the chief of small band
of Comanchcs, now encamped upon the
head-waters of the Leona, some four or five
miles to the south, and that he profcssed to
be a great friend of the whites, and was de-
sirous that we should visit him ut his camp.
found that my friends were both inclin-
ed to 20, and so inform ed the guide that we
would be governed by his opinion in the
matter.
WAL said Jim, 81 reckon we may rs
well 90; may be visit will git the goodwill
of the old iellcr-an' it can't hurt us, nj
how"
At motion from the Indian, we started
and, after riding some distance, came to
magnificent grove of pecan trees; passing
through which, we came in sight of tn
> camp II group of cOnical huts (instead oil TIN
usual skin LODGE, constructed OF poles set il
the ground and bent over TO a common cen
g ter at the top, which framework was wattlc'
c with punches of long tuiiG and grass.
: When we first saw them there appeare'
to be an angry discussion going on betweel
S Il dozen or more of the Indians, one @
whom, Il large and powerfully-built Indian
g about fifty years of age, the guide iniorme
J me, was Chlquito, their chief. lie wa
l. dressed in II tight-fitting jacket, with leg
& gings and moccasins, from each outer sean
!, of which there was suspended II long, loos
fringe Upon his head was n close-fittin
y cap of bearskin, covered with proiuson
y eagles feathers, so arranged MS to stand ere'
l. in Il circle over the top of his head. Ill
face, from which every particle OF hair la
ID been carefully eradicated, was striped in a
st odd and fantastic manner with different co
rs cred pigments, in which white and yello'
e. largely predominated; the place usually ot
: cupied by the eyebrows and lashes bein
painted bright vermiion.
lie Around his neck hung two necklaces
one made of bears toes, eagles claws an
rs deer hoofs; the other of brass balls, such q
m are sometimes used to tip the horns OF ca
nj tie. and two similar ones hung pendant iror
his ears. Over his shoulders, and sweepin
the ground, in regal style, was carelossl
flung large buffalo rug, gaudilv painto
g. and embroidered with beads and porcupin
IS quilts, while in belt around his waist hun
Il a singular looking Ratchet, or tomahawl
m In his right hand he held the usual Con
~ anche spear.
n The balance of the group were also array
&c cd in gaudy rugs and fancy Surroundings
" which, with their grOtesqucly-paintedi face
gave them u most hideous appearance.
or The entire party wore their hair long an
flowing over their shoulders, while each car
10 red in his hand m ugly-looking spear.
~ As we approached them Chiquto stoppe
forward, and extending II hand ornamonte
with finger-nails an inch long, grunted on
he in execrable Spanish, Nj Chiqutto, Jue'
amigo" or, II am Chiquito, u good friend
;" We all dismounted, and, AFTER shakr
hands with each one, seated ourselves upC
to the grass, and the guide then informed Oh
OF quito that we had visited him at his reques
and desired to know his pleasure. The Chi
Oh gave us to understand that, NOTWITHSTANDING
lie, he had always been friendly to the white
nj he was very poor. and required many thin
IT. to make him comfortable, such us blanket
tobacco. with firearms to shoot game, M
a particularly powder and shot, and anythlI
n else we had to spare.
n While this modest demand was beiI
made the braves gathered around us, persis
N; ing in making the most minute examinatio
it of our dress, firearms, equipments and ba
er gage, cvncing their satisfaction ut what the
he saw by series of grunts, Mt the same tin
w manilasting decided disposition to appr
IN pirate any articles that particularly struc
ut their fancy. They even cut some of Il
as buttons off of poor Griith's coat.
up jim informed Chiquito that we were
Se party travelling for pleasure, and had not
re ing whatever with us to spare, except pc,
der and balls to our enemies; and rs he u
VS. terly refused to present the chief with An
10 thing save one blanket, we all arose, Al
ut bidding the Indians "Juenos dos" we ma,
rs the best of our way out OF camp.