EENCONTRE WITH THE INDIANS. 301 



the hunters and traders who happen to fall in 

 with their scouring parties under severe con- 

 tributions ; and on some occasions they have 

 been known to proceed even to personal vio- 

 lence. A prominent Mexican officer* was 

 scourged not long ago by a party of Yutas, 

 and yet the government has never dared to 

 resent the outrage. Their hostilities, how- 

 ever, have not been confined to Mexican 

 traders, as will be perceived by the sequel 



In the summer of 1837, a small party of 

 but five or sbc Shawnees fell m with a large 

 band of Yutas near the eastern borders of the 

 Rocky Mountains, south of Arkansas river. 

 At first they were received with every demon- 

 stration of friendship ; but the Yutas, embold- 

 ened no doubt by the small number of their 

 -visitors, very soon concluded to reUeve them 

 of whatever surplus property they might be 

 possessed of The Shawnees, however, much 

 to the astonishment of the marauders, instead 

 of quietly surrendering their goods and chat- 

 tels, offered to defend them ; upon which a 

 skirmish ensued that actually cost the Yutas 

 several of their men, including a favorite chief; 

 while the Shawnees made their escape un- 

 hurt to their eastern homes. 



A few days after this event, and while the 

 Yutas were still bewailing the loss of their 

 people, I happened to pass near then: ramhe- 

 Has (temporary village) with a smaU caravan 

 which mustered about tliirty-five men. We 



* Don Juan Andres Archuleta, who commanded at the capture of 

 Gen. McLeod's division of the Texans. 



26 



