tl4 NATURE'S NOBLEMiJf. 



The only inhabitants of this vast region are strolling bands of bufiai* 

 tnd wild horses, with wolves, prairie dogs, and a few scattering antelope 

 The only human beings that visit it are Mexicaa traders and occasiona'. 

 war-parties of Pawnee, Apache, Kiiyavva, Cumanche, and Arapaho In- 

 dians, and they only for the brief interval required in its hurried passage. 



Who, then, so wild as to suppose for a moment that such a country can 

 ever become inhabited by civilized man ? — unless the time should literalh 

 be ushered in, when, to use the language of Scripture, " the desert shafi 

 bud and blossom as the rose !" 



Late in the afternoon, towards the close of our journey, a little below the 

 point at which the Santa Fe trail crosses the Cimarone, we came upon two 

 norses that appeared to have recently strayed from some travelling party. 

 According to the custom of the country anything encountered in this 

 manner is good and^.lavv'ful prize to the finder, and we forthwith set 

 lUwut taking possession. 



One of them, however, a two-year-old colt, proved so unmanageable 

 we were obliged to kill it in order to secure the other. Being rather 

 scantily supplied with provisions, the fresh-slaughtered animal (fine and 

 fat as it was) presented an opportunity too tem.pting not to be improv- 

 ed »n replenishing our stock, which induced us to encamp for that 

 piupose. 



Soon after a large party of horsemen made their appearance from 

 over the neighboring hills, and, having devoted a few minutes to recon- 

 noitering, advanced upon us at full charge. In an instant our little 

 force was drawn up in readiness to repel the expected attack. But, 

 instead of enemies, the Dbjects of our apprehension proved a squad of 

 Arapahos, and they were accordingly allowed to come into camp. 



-One of our visitors happened to be tlie owner of the two horses we 

 had found, which, as he stated, (having described them minutely,) had 

 ■trayed from his village, some six miles distant ; he then enquired of us if 

 we had seen them. Here was a dilemma ; should we deny the fact, an^ 

 run the risk of being caught in a falsehood ? or should we confess and 

 abide the consequences ? Our commandant decided upon the latter course; 

 but, in 80 doing, liad resort to an artful duplicity to bear upon the finer 

 feebngs of the Indian, and replied : 



" My warriors had suffered long for lack of food. Three suns had sunk 

 behind the mountain, and not one morsel bad entered their mouths to give 

 them strength for travel. In their distress they enquired of the Great 

 Spirit, and He showed them the lost animals of my brother. 



"My warriors were not slow to receive the welcome gift. The flesh of 

 the younger one hatli caused us to bless the Good Spirit ; the other is with 

 our own medicine nlogs, that my brother may search for it no longer." 



The owner; on hearing this, looked very sorrwful. Tiie colt had been 

 a favorite of his squaw and children. In a moment, however, he arost, 

 end, extendmg his hand to the commandant, exclaimed : 



" My heart is good. My white brother did well to receive the gift of th« 

 Good Spirit, that his warriors might eat." 



Commandant. But tlie young medicine-dog of my brother was the b^^ 



