26 TRICKS OF THE SAVAGES 



fhe tribe had committed some outrage either 

 against themselves or their friends. . 



Since the commencement of this trade, re- 

 turning parties have performed the homeward 

 journey across tlie plains with the proceeds of 

 their enterprise, partly in specie, and partly in 

 furs, buffalo rugs and animals. Occasionally, 

 these straggling bands would be set upon by 

 marauding Indians, but if w^ell armed and of 



resolute spirit, they found very httle difficulty 

 in persuading the savages to let them pass 

 unmolested ; for, as ]\Ir. Storrs very justly re- 

 marks, in his representation presented by 

 Colonel Benton, in 1825, to the United States 

 Senate, tlie Indians are always willing to 

 compromise when they find that they cannot 

 rob "without losing the Mves of their warri- 

 ors, wliich they hardly ever risk, unless for 

 revenge or m open warfare." 



The case Avas very different with those who 

 throui^h carelessness or recklessness ventured 

 upon the wild prairies without a sufficient 

 supply of arms. A story is told of a small 

 band of twelve men, who, while encamped 

 on the Cimarron river, in 1826, with but four 

 Berviceable guns between them, were visited 

 a party of Indians (beheved to be Arrapa- 

 hoes), who made at first strong demonstrations 

 of friendship and good will. Observing the 

 defenceless condition of the traders, they 

 went away, but soon returned about thirty 

 strong, each provided with a lazo, and all on 

 foot The chief then began by informing the 

 Americans that his men were tired of walk- 

 ing, and must have horses. Thinking it folly 



