324 ON THE FRONTIEE. 



the time came for the Apache-Yumayas to meet us at their 

 rancho, our friends would strengthen its garrison by smug- 

 gling as many good men as they could into the place, keeping 

 them as dark as possible, so that the Indians should not 

 know they were there. 



We arrived at head quarters without further adventure, 

 found our chief glad to see us again, and were congratulated 

 and complimented by him. Indeed, he was pleased to say 

 many handsome things about the conduct of the expedition. 

 He was, however, far from sanguine as to the ultimate 

 result of negotiations ; thinking, as his experience well 

 warranted him in doing, that the Indians had been " talking 

 good " with the sole idea of getting presents and lulling 

 vigilance ; and offered to place under our orders, when we 

 gave them the proposed meeting, whatever escort we liked 

 to take with us. 



Lounging about, killing time, soon became monotonous, 

 and we were beginning to ennui terribly; when, to our 

 great relief, the general sent us out again. This time on a 

 scout through the countries of the Tontos, Yavapais, and 

 Hualapais, with carte blanche as to its direction. Interpret- 

 ing this order into leave of absence to go shooting and 

 fishing with an escort for protection, we took our shot-guns 

 and tackle, and went away rejoicing. Than we, none knew 

 better where- game was plenty, and good camps to be found. 

 We had besides with us all creature comforts and camp 

 appliances. "A good time," was a foregone conclusion. 

 We saw no fresh Indian sign while out, and were not, 

 therefore, obliged to abandon pleasure for duty. Indirectly 

 our scout did good. It kept so many soldiers from getting 



