The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-09
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 ing, 'Hosc.'
 1sWho are you, and what are you doing on Indian's land?' he demanded, speaking in Spanish.
 "sThe great father sent us here,' l answered, ito make map, q picture, of Tndian's land
 "sYou lie ? he said. You are bad cowboys, and you came In here to run of Indians ponies.'
 "sLook at my mules.' I reloined. and the animals were standing near with heavy burdens strapped upon them; do you think l could run of ponies with such load?'
 "'Then you are diggers,' he went on You find gold on Indians land and white man make him move again. All white men are liars and thieves, and l am going 10 kill you.'
 "I looked about me in despair. We were four boys to dozen savages. Our arms consisted only of revolvers, while the Indians carried the very best rifles and knives. My compan- ions had understood nothing of what was said, since we spoke in Spanish, but they were aware of danger.
 "'Host;n Kar Is mad, said l to them. lie means us mischief.
 "Pale faces and trembling hands told me at once their weapons would be useless. Indeed, the Navajoes were on the alert, and movement toward my belt would have called their fire. There was no hope in resistance; we must need rely on our wits. But in vain l protested that we were good white men that the great father had sent us there; that we did not want Indians land or horses.
 No, we were thieves and liars, and he was going to shoot us before the sun went down.
 "I drew out my books and showed him the sketches of the mountains, and the map with streams upon 1t. As his eye ran over the familiar lines his face relaxed somewhat.
 "'Well, what was that2' he de- manded, grufily, eyeing the instru- ment suspiciously.
 "I turned the telescope upon the party of horsemen, some six miles away, and as he looked into 1t his face spread with astonishment and delight. 1 was gaining on his favor and quickly increased his wonder by shifting the glass from one peak to another of the distant mountains.
 "Atter the other Indians had each taken a look through the telescope they drew back and began to converse in their Navajoe tongue. l felt confi- dent that we had made a good im- pression upon the old chiei and was encouraging the boys about me when he turned to us again.
 elf Bashingtano, the great father, sent you here to make picture of ln- dian's land why didn't you come first to the big chief?' he said. No, you have brought those things to fool ln- dian; you are thieves and liars, and we will shoot you. For how can you make map with no one to tell you the names of rivers and mountainsi'
 "I was on my way, l insisted, to see the big chief and ask him of his rivers and mountains; for no one in all the country knows them so well as he. And Bashingtano will be glad when he hears that the big chief helped to make his map, for then 1t will be good.
 "A show of satisfaction spread over his face al this tribute, and forthwith began to ply him with questions.
 "As he told me the names and pointed out the drainage of this river and the lay of that ridge, his face re- faxed and his bearing became less gruf. l had sat at his feet, as it were, and he was won.
 "sYou should have come to the big chief first he said, presently. Bad Indians steal your horses and then Bashingtano come back on big chief for them. If you leave Indians land at once, we will let you go.'
 We will leave tomorrow, l re- piled; tonight we wished to sleep in the canon below.
 "Then he would send good Indians with us, for bad Indians would steal Bashingtano's horses.
 "I was confident now that we were safe, and turning the instrument from point to point, rapidly read the an- gles as we talked, and soon the days work was complete.
 "ln short time our baggage was packed and we were following the big chief down toward the horsemen below, for he insisted that we should return by that way. When we reached the place several hundred painted Indians had gathered, and l shall always think they were there to see us shot. But after passing through them the big chief dismissed us with 8 guard of Navsjoes, who led us by 8 circuitous route towards the place of the mornings camp.
 "It was twilight when we reached the canon, and there we found the