146 NEW TRACKS IN NOETE AMEEICA. 



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tion tliat they could no longer protect tliemsclves againc;t tlie 

 neighbouring savage tiibcs. So the paw- wow was got up to 

 try to induce this Comanche chief to return to his people, and 

 persuade them to keep the peace with the ^N'ayajos. 



All the warriors were brightly painted and fantastically 

 dressed ; they sat around the room, and after much talking 

 at wdiich the Mexican wife, being general interpreter, was 

 spokesman on both sides, and seemed to arrange everythin 

 completely to her o^\ti satisfaction — a lasting peace was agreed 

 upon, and each party pledged themselyes to return to then- 

 own people and try to obtain a ratification of the compact. 

 Then followed much embracing and the presentation of gifts, 

 which consisted in the exchange of hats, skins, pistols, toma- 

 hawks, qniyers, and all sorts of unmentionable garments, 

 between the old chief and his wife on one side, and tlie 

 Kavajos on the other, so that the former became attired and 

 armed with the clothes and weapons contributed by their 

 different friends ; while theii' oysn clothes, regardless of sex, 

 were dispersed amongst half-a-dozen or more of the ISTavajo 



) 



braves. This scene ended, all squatted down upon the floor 

 and the pipe of peace was lighted and handed round for each 

 to take a whiff. 



But the Comanche chief was glum and thoughtful, find 



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deep forebodings wciglied lieavily ui)on his countenance. 

 At last he rose np, and thi'ongh his wife made^ no donbt, a 

 most touching and eloquent harangue, the pm^port of which 

 was that, being in the minority, he much feared he could 

 never reach home to conciliate his people; for the others 

 would oyertake him on the way and kill him, as his great age 

 and failing strength would not allow him to escape out oi 

 their hands. Then the I^ayajo chief rose with much digni^' 

 to reply, and, placing his hand on his heart, said that h^ 



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