The National tribune., 1896-04-09

| spite of the fact that they were ut peace with
the New Mexicans.
1.-The Indians halted Just ont of gHnshot
| from the caravan, for they saw that iour
people had firearms and were on their guard.
But their chief, a large, fine-looking Indian,
with war paint on his face, gave the peace
| sign and rode toward the caravan. Before
he had come half way Don Porhrio recog-
| nized him, and the Mexicans who had fought
against the Comanches i'll the past said; 1T
,, is Santarito.' All knew the name, for he
was one of the bravest and most warlike.of
| the chiefs that rode on the plains. Man.
| uelita 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 upto
| them on his war horse, splendid mustang,
| full of fire and speed He wore ahuating
shirt, fringed leggings, and moccasins of buck
skin and in his black streaming hair were
three eagles feathers. Hung to his neck by
buckskin thong, and resting on his broad, |
sinewy chest, was 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 9uiver of arrows, and he carried his
long lance in his hand.
"When he had come quite near the partly
he stopped and spoke to my grandfather, call.
ing him by name, for they had met before mi
war and peace. lie spoke in Spanish, for 1T
was told OF him that he had been educatedI
at Franciscan Fathers school, from which,
he had run away to join his wild tribesmen
g Senor Degado, he said, will you chooses
peace or war;
"' We would have peace, answered my
grandfather. Why should we fight? The.
Comanches and the New Mexicans are friends.
Then give up to me the girl Manuellta.
Her father promised her to me when she was
child. Give her to me and there shall be
peace and gifts between u.s.
Don Porfirio looked toward Manuelita
She had snnk to the ground, her face ashy
pale. her look full of horror
What is this the chief says? asked the
don of her What does he mean by saying
that your father promised you to him? Isl
true?' She lifted her head. 1t is false
she cried My farther never meantit. He.
had no right togiYe me, a Christian girl, to-
an Indian
Don forfrio looked very grave. He saw
that some sort Of promise had been made and
knew that whether or not the father had
spoken IN jest, or had right to give 1t, 1t
would make 10 difference with the chief, who
was there with his men behind him, and
meant to have the girl No one knew better
than my grandfather the dangers and evil
consequences of fight with the Comanches
at that time out on the lonely plain, encum-
bered with his loaded wagons, and far away
from water.
s. A third of his party were women, and
the Indians outnumbered the men two 10 one
The Comanches had no firearms, but they
were brave fighters, and conld do deadly
work at close quarters with their bows and
arrows. And then the women If the In
dians were victorious there was certain and
terrible fate for the men, but that of. the
women was as certain and worse. Manuelita
was only an orphan girl whose father had
been of no very good repute, and she had no
relatives living to take up her cause.