22 HUECO VISITORS.—CROSS TIMBERS. 
from a bed of marl, so soft that the mules cannot approach, and they have to be watered with 
buckets. The results of the survey thus far are highly satisfactory—the grades being light, 
and timber and water abundant. Burning prairies have surrounded us to-day, and *the smoke 
has been so dense as nearly to obscure the sun. Two Indians, professing to be Kichais, came, 
this evening, into camp—the one tall and straight, the other ill-looking. Their dress con- 
sisted of a blue cotton blanket wrapped around the waist, a head-dress of eagles’ feathers, brass 
wire bracelets, and moccasins. The outer cartilages of their ears were cut through in various 
places, and short sticks inserted in place of rings. They were painted with vermilion, and 
carried bows of bois d'arc three feet long, and cowskin quivers filled with arrows. The latter 
were about twenty-six inches in length, with very sharp steel heads, tastefully and skilfully 
made. The feathers with which they were tipped, and the sinews which bound them, were 
prettily tinted with red, blue, and green. The shafts were colored red, and said to be poisoned. 
I have mentioned, that before leaving Beaversville, Chisholm placed at my disposal a Mexi- 
can boy named Vincente, from Parras. That place was surprised by the Comanches when he 
was a child; many of the inhabitants, including probably his parents, murdered; and himself, 
with a sister and several others, taken away as captives. For many years he was a slave among 
the Comanches, taking care of their horses and performing other services. Wandering about 
with them from place to place, he learned their language, and the signs they employ in con- - 
versing with other tribes. At length he was seen and purchased by Chisholm when on a tra- 
ding expedition. He gave for him goods to the value of two hundred dollars. The sister was 
married to a Comanche, and is yet living with them against her will. Vincente is probably 
sixteen or seventeen years of age, but not larger than a well-developed lad of eleven. He has 
an oval face, black eyes, Spanish features, and a pleasing expression; he speaks English, Span- 
ish, and Comanche. It is easy to see that his character has been formed among the savages, for 
he dereen in a marked degree the apparent indifference and obstinacy peculiar to the Indian 
race. 
After our twò Indian visitors had eaten and smoked, Vincente was required to examine them. 
They understood neither Comanche, Spanish, nor English; but our. little interpreter was by no 
means disconcerted at that. With occasionally a word in Caddo, which to some extent seems 
to be used by all the tribes of this region, and signs, such as are comprehended by the universal 
Indian race, a rapid conversation was carried on. The graceful motions of the hands seemed 
to convey ideas faster than words could have done, and with the whole operation we were highly 
amused and interested. 
Our visitors now said that they were not Kichais, but Huécos, and that they were upon a 
hunting excursion; that their tribe numbered **plenty,'" and lived beyond the Washita river 
towards Texas. When they had received some presents, and a sketch of them had been taken, 
they left, well pleased with their entertainment. "These Huécos wore neither beard nor mous- 
tache, so common among Shawnees and Delawares. Some of the Choctaws sport a heavy beard. 
ker white blood among them may account for this manly development. 
24— Camp 24.—As we were preparing to pursue our journey, another Indian rode into 
pen He said he was a Huéco; and having seen us while hunting, came merely to ask where 
we were going. In Vincente's tenia and Caddo, we inquired the direction to the old 
wagon trail, which being very obscure, we had unintentionally departed from. He offered to 
guide us to it. Following him down an affluent of the Washita, and passing through a strip 
of forest, we encountered a difficult ravine. Before us were the dense Cross Timbers, and a 
country cut up by numerous rivulets, and without the least trace of a road. While reconnoi- 
tring our position, the Indian guide deserted. We were proposing to retrace our steps, when 
another Indian, supposed to be a true] i, made his appearance. For a consideration, he 
showed us the desired route, which was upon the northern slope of the ridge intersecting the 
branches of Walnut creek. All these rivulets are finely-flowing streams, watering a large 
extent of beautiful — We found one twelve feet wide, and several feet deep, which could 
