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CHAPTER XXXIX. 



TRAILING. 



I CAXNOT begin this subject without a slight tribute of 

 respect and affection to one who, though utterly ignorant 

 of all civilised knowledge, and to whom the letters of the 

 alphabet were as unintelligible as Egyptian hieroglyphics, 

 was yet full of wisdom and knowledge in all that apper- 

 tained to his own mode of life ; who, brought up as a 

 thief, was yet honest and faithful ; his boyhood and early 

 manhood passed arnid the crime, horror, and licentiousness 

 of an Indian tribe, was yet a firm friend, a kind and loving 

 husband and father. He was a patient, successful hunter ; 

 and not only the very best trailer I have ever seen, but 

 pronounced by John Connor, the Delaware chief (un- 

 doubtedly the most competent judge of the subject on the 

 plains), the very best trailer, Indian or Mexican, on the 

 continent. Under his guidance I made many a long 

 march and rapid pursuit, and to him I am indebted 

 for my first lessons in plainscraft and in hunting for large 

 game. 



Pedro Espinosa was born about the year 1810, of 

 Mexican parentage, in a ranche or hamlet on the banks 

 of the Eio Grande, not far from the town of Laredo. 

 When he was nine years old, this ranche was captured by 

 Comanches, and all the inhabitants put to death with the 

 usual accompaniment of horror, except a few children of 

 both sexes, who were carried into captivity. On reaching 

 the tribe the children were adopted into it and well treated, 

 but carefully watched. Espinosa was one of these. The 



