The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-06-06

VAS y OF tne purity ne MAD come along
to herd the cattle and mules Of the cut
at.
son the third day after arriving at
the salinas they had al their carts and
pack mules loaded with qait, They
we're yoking up the oxen. ready for 4
start for home, when a band Of Indians
came riding toward them from tho
nlesas, Not knowing what tribe they
might belong "a. the Mexicans drew
their carts into a circle, secured the
mules and oxen, got their firearms
ready, and waited. When the Indians
came near Il people they saw that
they were Comanches, and felt easier
il their minds; but still they knew that
they could not trust them very far. in
spite OF the fact that they were atpeace
with the New Mexicans
~The Indians halted just out Of gun
slot from the caravan, for they saw
that our people had firearms and were
on their guard But their chief, a large.
tine-looking Indian, with war paint on
his face, gave the peace sign and rode
toward the caravan. Before he had
come half way Don Porfrio recognized
him, and the Mexicans who had fought
against the Comanches in the past said:
1t is S~antarito.1 All knew the name,
for he was one of the bravest and most
Warlike Of the chiefs that rode on the
plains. Manuelifa knew about him, and
at his coming she shrank behind the
other women, and drew her reboso
about her face. But he saw her.
MY grandfather has often. described
to me the way Santarito looked as he
rode up to them on the war horse, a
splendid mustang, full of fire and speed.
He wore a hunting shirt, fringed leg
gings, and moccasins IF buckskin, and
in his black streaming hair were three
eagles feathers. Hung to- his neck by
o buckskin thong, and resting on his
broad, sinewy chest, was a great star
of gold set with precious stones, that
he had taken from the uniform of some
dead Mexican officer of high rank.
Across his back was slung his bow and
.quiyer of arrows, and he carried his
long lance in his hand.
when we had come quite near the
party he stopped and spoke to my
grandfather. calling him by name, for
they had met before in war and peace.
He spoke in Spanish, for it was told of.
him that he had been educated at a
Franciscan Fathers school, from which
he had run away to join his wild trades
men.
Senior Delgado,' he said, win you
choose peace or warp
!" .Wewould have peace answered NV
grandfather. why should we fight?
The Comanches and the New Mexicans
are friends.
Then give up to me the girl Manuel
tia. Her father promised her to me
when she was a child. Give her to me
and there shall be peace and gifts be-
tween us
Don Porfirio looked toward Manuel
itas She had sunk to the ground, her
face ashy pale, her look full Of horror.
What is this the chief saysP' asked
the don Of her. What does he mean by
that your father promised YOU
TO him? is it true2' She lifted her
head. 1T is falsei' she cried. Ny ia
never meantit. He had no right to
give me, christian girl, to an Indian.
Don Poririo looked very grave. He
that some sort of promise had been
made, and knew hatwhether or not the
had spoken in Jest, or had a right
to give il, it would make no difference
the chief who was Herewith his
men behind him, and meant to have the
girl. No one knew better than INV
grandfather the dangers and evil conse-
4uences Of a fight with the Comanches
that time and out on the lonely plain.
eneumbered with loaded wagons, and
away from water.
"a third Of his party were women,
and the Indians outnumbered the men
two to one. The Comanches had no
firearms, but they were brave fighters.
md could do deadly work at close quar-.
ters with their bows and arrows. And
then the women! If the Indians were
'ictorious there there was a certain and
errible fate for the men, but that of the
Women was as certain and worse.
was only an orphan girl
whose father had been Of no very good
and she had no relatives living
o take up her case.
Let the Comanchero's daughter III
up to the chief whispered some
# the Mexieans, whose wives and
daughters were with them. She is but
me, and it will save the lives OF many.
Ter father liked the Comanches wen
'nough, and she may get along as well
imong them. And did he not promise
Ter to S~antarito?'
"Manuelita heard, o. felt, these whAs-
lers, and shuddered beneath the reboso !
he had drawn over her face. But there
one who came to her, and took her
iand in his, and stood by her, saying
hat he would protect her while his life /
hould last. It was francisco Segura.
he yaq1ero, and his example gave cour-
&c to others. Don Porfrio was not a
nan Of a towards way of thinking. He
protect his own, whatever might
efall, and Manuelita wa Of his house.
old. He knew the risk he was taking
Pr himself and his people when he said:
'~Santarito, the girl Is not willing TO
Q. Her father had no right to say who
houId have her when she was q little
hid. She is under my protection. and
remain uf4h hnw nV4s. ~n.-