The copper era., 1905-08-17

ddIYearS before we had opened up the mail riders pouch on the Rio Grapde, and first saw greenbacks.
 In the evening there was the big peace talk and we went up to the port to see and hear. Del Shay was did not wear the big blue beads. They were there though but worn by a squaw with her nose slit off. It was all the same as the talks of other years. The Tontos had done no killing. The killing of MT. Loving on the La Pas road, as to which so many questions were asked, was done by Apach-Mohave. The spells, the honeywell, that might have come to his band-won at hazard Del Shay did not know. That was his young man, who did these things, and he grew very grand and when an h. dian chief takes this tack he can do the ground even to his fingers tips. Had he any idea where the money was now? As there had been big bills taken and it was all alike to the Indians, he waved his hand to- ward the sutler's store and the questions rested on his head. They, his band had some months before taken in wagon train with grain from Collingwood of Florence, to Hellings. He produced a leather pouch with the bill of lading. and he seemed to think it a great virtue to tell. They made no killing. The divers had run away, and they had not followed and killed them. Other bands would have done so, but not h is. I noticed that General Brook smiled through it all and his aide de camp, Lieut.. Burke, put these questions. The medium was Span ish, which one of the Tontos spoke perfect, and he, the Indian, Del Shay, and there was no mistake it was the had always been friendly with the White mountain and the Cassaninco Indians and knew their country to the eastward. ''Yes his wife was from that tribe"
 ''Did he known that some twenty two years past, when he, Del Shay, was young that they killed many men, Americans some twelve, who went on their range and dug from the ground the loose soil, a very large amount of gold, and carried away the gold?'' ''No.''
 "Could they have done so, and he, Del Shay, not know it?'' 'Yes''
 "Did he know or had he ever heard from the Indians of such place, which they safely guarded?' He gave no answer but straight look at the questioner and smiled.
 Had he ever heard of such a story and place at any time from any tribe?" ''Yes. He had heard it before but it was from Americans last year at Reno, never from any Indians"
 An there, you, Del Shay. How quick have you become civilized and taken up the white mans burden of deceit. Last year at Reno many and many flask. of good red-eye have seen you slip under your blanket, many a pound of tobacco. Did you smoke and dream away? You are here now with all your bunch aroun you, a big, big chief. Clean words must be spoken but then when Charley Whillow and Reagan, after wards the owner of Silver King, get around, you, yes you knew of it. How quick to take up their ques- tions. How often did you promise to point out the sacred spot. How many excuses of White mountain man there now by and by, but Oh. news gets to the Salt river that you are here will there be other men to see you and bring to you the white mans comforts, and now, here at one swoop you have given away your whole stock in trade.
 The fiasco was complete. The whole commission with General Crook and the cavalry rode away to Camp Verde. The Tontos stayed and were fed soldiers ration for some time and they came and went at their own sweet will. MT. Ross left at once for the east, going by way of Santa Fe. He came down, bid us good bye and left me his watch to re- member him. He promised, which he kept, to send Alder Ali from New York something for which he had been longing. Vale,