46 INDIAN TRADE. 
manches being over, they now began to 
depart as they had come, in small parties, 
without bidding us adieu, or even informing 
us of their intention, it being the usual mode 
of taking leave among Indians, to depart 
sans cérémome, and as silently as possible. 
The Santa Fé caravans have generally 
avoided every manner of trade with the wild 
Indians, for fear of being treacherously dealt 
with during the familiar intercourse which 
necessarily ensues. This I am convinced is 
an erroneous impression ; for [ have always 
found, that savages are much less hostile to 
those with whom they trade, than to any 
other people. They are emphatically fond of 
traffic, and, being anxious to encourage the 
whites to come among them, instead of com- 
mitting depredations upon those with whom 
they trade, they are generally ready to defend 
them against every enemy. 
