214 NOTES TAKEN. 
shall be free from further molestation. We prefer being near 
the whites, that we may be free from the depredations of the 
wild tribes, 
“Heretofore we have had our enemies, the whites on one 
side, and the Camanches on the other, and of the two evils, we 
prefer the former, as they allow us to eat what we raise, whilst 
the Camanches take every thing, and if we are to be killed, 
we would much rather die with full bellies ; we would there- 
fore prefer taking our chances on the ee ere 
be near the whites.” 
The captain told them that their Great Father would do 
everything to make them happy and comfortable, if they would 
accede to his wishes, settle upon these lands, and confine them- 
selves to agriculture. They all expressed themselves ready 
and willing to do so, and parted on very friendly terms. 
The interpreter at this council was Bear Head, a famous 
Delaware, employed by the Indian agent for these tribes as 
guide and interpreter. His American name was Jim Shaw. 
He had been adopted into the Caddo tribe, and become a 
chief among them. He was the finest specimen of the Indian 
I saw during the trip, about fifty years old, full six feet six 
in height, as straight as an arrow, with a sinewy, muscular 
frame, large head, high cheek bones, wide mouth, and eye 
like an eagle—his countenance indicative of the true friend 
and dangerous enemy. 
Fort Belknap, one of the most distant posts on this fron- 
tier, is situated about a mile from the Brazos, upon an 
