The herald., 1895-02-23

find out what I wanted, namely whether
or not there were arms in the camp. |
began asking for Cabazon and poling
around the huts. The Indians couldn't
talk English and 1 couldn't their lingo so
failed to see Cabazon but did see both
rifles, shotguns and pistols in the huts
and novels. About the time l had made
half the rounds of the camp a stalwart
Indian caught me by the shoulder with
no gentle grip, and turning my face
toward Indio walked me out of camp.
went home and later in the day Cabazon,
the chief, came in to town. Securing an
interpreter [ talked to him. The old chief
is willy as they make them and it took
long, long talk before succeeded IN getting
him angry enough to express himself.
When he did talk his eyes snapped, and
his gr'y beard and bushy hair fairly
brstled. II am the Chief of the Coahuil-
las he said, land as chief | should and
Will rule my people. Until Rust came to
bother us, had no trouble. Now have
much. have been patient, but this must
end soon. am going to let the white
man have one more chance. They say l
i'ihSp ioetNe IluIO anu ~ W NdlteIS.
will not do it. Let them arrest me if they
can. | cannot live at Walters. My place
S chief is anywhere among my people l
choose to stay, and l choo to stay in
lndo. My captain is arrested and they
say he must work for Torres. He shall
not. am going to let my white friends
try to have the order removing me to
Walters and the order arrestng my cap
tain rescinded. 1 am patient. 1 am 60
ing to Los Angeles to help them. If the
orders are not rescinded, then Chief Caba-
zon must speak to his own people," and
the old chieftain waived his hand to-
ward twenty or thirty stalwart bucks, who
had collected near the door of the room
where we were talking. Where they came
from and when they rived l cannot say,
but was told that they were there to see
that no harm came to Cabazon, they be-
lieving wanted to arrest him. Friends
of mine who talked his language, notably
Mr.. Ilngman, soon convinced both Caba-
zon and his followers that l meant no
harm to the chief, and treat all around
fixed things.
'Wlll you fight if the orde are not re-
scinded?' l asked Chief Cabazon.
''We will fight" he answered.
"How do you mean; with guns and
knives, or by law?" asked
Time enough, time enough for that"
he answered.
II am patient, very patient, but must
have my rights. The President told me
should have them, and will My boys
my children will help me- Many who are
with Torres do not want to stay. They
will come back. This is all. will not
go away and Razon must be released
That is all, and the chief stalked away
with dignity that sat we'll upon his age
but was ludicrous when you got glimpse
OF his costume, composed of an overcoat,
with the thermometer at 80, a vest, pair
OF overalls and a slouch hat tied under his
chin with leather shoestring.
The people here, who have lived for
years among the Coahullas, are unani-
nous in the opinion that unless careful
and speedy work is done to heal the diff
ferences Of the tribe, bloodshed will re-
suit They say the young bucks are eager
to hight, spelling for row, and all that
is needed is a few drinks of whisky and a
word from Cabazon to start them going.
These people talk the language of the In
dlans and overhear their private confer
ences. One man told me today that if
Cabazon came back from Los Angeles and
said he had to move or if he was arrested
there the Indians of his camp would
move on Torres at once.
'The white people think because the
redskins have always been peaceable lot
they will always be so, but I tell you, no.
When Cabazon went and captured Torres
there would have been bloody battle if
Torres men had been armed. Now both
sides are heeled and if trouble starts look
out for blood. My own opinion is that
Cabazon will have to be sustained if
trouble is averted. He is their hereditary
chief and in their hearts the In, ians re-
spect him"
Cabazon will be in Los Angeles Monday
for final answer to his plea to be let
alone himself, allowed to govern his peo-
pie and have his Captain released from
Torres camp. Upon the answer he re-
ceives, those who know Cabazon and his
people saw. trouble or peace depends.