38 ARRIVAL OF COMANCHES. 
tomed to the open plains, and like the eagle 
to look out for their prey at immense distan- 
ces, their optical perception is scarcely ex- 
celled by that of the king of birds. 
The party,having approached still nearer, 
assembled upon an eminence as if for the 
purpose of reconnoitring; but our chief upon 
the knoll hoisting his blanket, which seemed 
to say, ‘come ahead,’ they advanced slowly 
and deliberately —very unlike the customary 
mode of approach among all the prairie tribes. 
The party consisted of about sixty warriors, 
at the head of whom rode an Indian of small 
stature and agreeable countenance, verging 
on the age of fifty. He wore the usual Co- 
manche dress, but instead of moccasins, he 
had on a pair of long white cotton hose, 
while upon his bare head waved a tall red 
plume,—a mark of distinction which pro- 
claimed him at once the capitan mayor, or 
principal chief. We addressed them in Span- 
ish, inquiring if they had brought an inter- 
preter, when a lank-jawed, grum-looking sav- 
age announced his readiness to officiate in 
that capacity. “ Sabes hablar en Espaiol, 
amigo?” (can you talk Spanish, ” iene 2” 1 
inquired. “Sv” (yes), he gruffly replied. 
“ Where are your people?” “ Encamped just 
above on yonder creek.” “How many of you 
are there?” “Oh, a great many—nearly all 
the Comanche nation ; for we are en junta to 
go and fight the Pawnees.” “ Well, can you 
tell us how far it is to Santa Fé ?”—But the 
surly savage cutshort my inquiries by observ- 
ss oe 
