26 COMANCHE SIGNS. 



poles for the frame work of the lodges can be procured, they invariably 

 transport them from place to place, by attaching tbem to each side of 

 the pack-horses, with one end trailing upon the ground. These leave 

 parallel marks upon the soft earth after they have passed, and enable 

 one at once to determine whetner the trail is made by a war party or 

 otherwise. Tbe Comanches, during the past year, have not been 

 friendly with the Delawares and Shawnees ; and although there has as 

 yet been no organized demonstration of hostilities, they have secretly 

 killed several men, and in consequence our hunters, entertain a feeling 

 of revenge towards them. They, however, go out alone every day upon 

 their hunts, are frequently six or eight miles from tbe command, and 

 seem to have no fears of the Comanches, as they are liable to encounter 

 them at any moment *and being so poorly mounted tbat they could 

 not escape, their only alternative would be to act on the defensive. I 

 have cautioned them upon the subject several times, but they say that 

 tbey are not afraid to meet any of the prairie .Indians, provided the 

 odds are not greater tban six to one. They are well armed with good 

 rifles — the use of which they understand perfectly — are intelligent, 

 active, and brave, and in my opinion will ere long take ample satisfac- 

 tion upon the Comanches for every one of their nation that falls by 

 their hands. 



