The record-union., 1899-06-17

which had lost its hide was swing
ing across the accused's suddle, Was un
convtroverted However there was an
acquittal, possibly on tie broad prin-
ciple that 'sthe Lord giveth and the
Lord taketh away Then, again, in
Arizona it Isl not considered breech of
etiquette to kill a calf for ones use, if it
does carry another mans brand. In
fact, it has come to be an adage that
cowman never tastes his own meat,
except when he dimes with his neigh
Dor.
The Apache takes great pleasure and
enjoyment in a trip as witness from
his reservation to the United States
Court, and looks forward to it as the
average small boy does to the Fourth of
July. Twice a year from twenty to
thirty witnesses are brought down
from San Carlos to attend the United
States Court. They come by rail and
receive the usual mileage and per diem
of other witnesses. This is quite boz
nanza for the Apache, as he camps with
the squad in some Mexican's back yard
and his expenses are only few cents
per day. The total amount paid each
averages from $50 to $75, and often is
the greatest sum Of money the Indian
has ever possessed at any one time. He
! has drawn a lucky number in sub
pena, and the longer the term of court
lasts the better he Likes it.
When they are discharged and receive
their check from the United States
Marshal preparations are speedily made
for the return trip with horses, which
ltare purchased from the ranchers. This
is never-varying rule, well known
by the Mexican rancher, and the last
day of court always winds up with
a horSe market. The Indians cover
the mesquite picketed corral like so
many blackbirds and round and round
the frightened horses go, while great
clouds of dust nearly hide the purchas-
ers. AS an Indian selects his steed he
slips from the fence, takes the lariat
from the 'herdsanans hand, and after
few maneuvers deftly drops it over
the head of the animal he wishes to ex-
anime. Then follows much pow-wow.
At the same time If the animal WHY per-
nit it, the Indian carefully runs his
hand over every limb, quickly noting
any defect with a grunt. Then. with
much pickering, the purchase is finally
next one is taken up.
If the horse has been broken he will
strap on a saddle before purchasing
and race up the street for test run.
In mounting the Apache spurns the
aid Of a stirrup. He takes firm hold
of the saddle horn, and with a quick
vault swings into the saddle and is
away like the wind. A horse soon un-
derstands this, and starts just at the
right time his momentum assisting the
Indians mount. They are all expert
and daring horsemen.
No matter how many horses an In
dian buys, each must be the subject of
a separate negotiation, and each tint
the cash is paid. If an Apache has a
dozen articles to buy in store, how
ever small and trif1ing each one is, h.
must make separate purchase of each,
and the clerk who understands his busi-
| ness and does not want to. lose a Gus
toner will receive the proffered pay
for each and make the proper change.
The Indian is a trader born and he
| never loses an opportunity to exercise
this particular bent. He considers that
in every article he has driven bargain, /,
and the more bargains he has made the
greater his achievement in the line of
commerce.
If he buys a piece of beef he will
have it weighed half a dozen times, will
ask to have 1t cut into two. three, or
more pieces, and each weighed and
priced, and he may end the matter by
buying it all, but paying for it in three
separate lots, the butcher be-
ing obliged to make change each time.
To tenderfoot it would appear that
the Apache wanted to see the cash reg
lister work, but it is only the way he
has of making bargains.
Yes, they are queer lot, and it takes
lifetime to understand them. H.