•14 MATURE'S NOBLEMAJf. 



The only inhabitants of this vast region are strolling bands of buflal« 

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

 The only human beings that visit it are Mexican traders and occasiona 

 war-parties of Pawnee, Apache, Kuyawa, Cunv.inche, 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 liieralh 

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

 bud and blossom as the rose !" 



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



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

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

 According to the custom of the country anytliing encountered in this 

 maimer is good and lawful prize to the finder, and we forthwith set 

 about 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 

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

 fat as it was) presented an opportunity too tempting not to be improv- 

 ed >a replenishing our stock, which induced us to encamp for that 

 piirpose. 



Soon after a large party of horsemen made their appearance from 

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

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

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

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

 Arapahos, and they wei'e accordingly allowed to come into camp. 



One of our \isitors happened to be tlie owner of the tvvo horses we 

 had found, wliich, as he stated, (having described them miniitely,) had 

 Btrayed 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 behtg caught in a falsehood ? or siiould we confess and 

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

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

 feelings of the Indian, and replied : 



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

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

 them strength for tra\el. 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 hath caused us to bless the Good Spirit: the other is with 

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



The owner; on hearuig tiiis, looked very sorrwful. Tlie colt had been 

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

 and, extending his hand to tiie commandant, exclaimed : 



" My heart is good. My white brotlier did v/eU to receive the gift of th« 

 Good Spirit, that his warriors might cat." 



Commaniani. But the young medicine-dog of my brother was the l>»- 



