FORAYS OF THE INDIANS. 97 



people, and he would be regarded as very foolish. : moreover, he said, 

 (patting his favorite on the neck,) " I love him very much." 



The only property of these people, with the exception of a few articles 

 belonging to their domestic economy, consists entirely in horses and 

 mules, of which they possess great numbers. These are mostly pillaged 

 from the Mexicans, as is evident from the brand which is found upon 

 them. The most successful horse- thieves among them own from fifty 

 to two hundred animals. 



In their political and domestic relations there is also a similarity to 

 the Old World nomads. They are governed by a chief, the tenure of 

 whose office is hereditary, so long as his administration meets the ap- 

 probation of his followers. He leads them to war, and presides at their 

 deliberations in council ; but should he disgrace himself by any act of 

 cowardice or mal-administration, they do not hesitate to depose him 

 and place a more competent man in his stead. Their laws are such as 

 are adapted to their peculiar situation, and are sanctioned by the voice 

 of the people. Their execution is vested in the subordinate chiefs, or 

 captains, as they are called, and they are promptly and rigidly enforced. 

 In respect to the rights of property, their code is strictly Spartan. They 

 are perhaps as arrant freebooters as can be found upon the face of the 

 earth ; and they regard stealing from strangers as perfectly legitimate 

 and honorable, and that man who has been most successful in this is 

 the most highly honored by his tribe ; indeed, a young man who has 

 not made one or more of these expeditions into Mexico is held iu but 

 little repute. In evidence of this, I was told by an old chief of the 

 Northern Comanches, called Is-sa-keep, that he was the father of four 

 sons, who he said were as fine young men as could be found; that they 

 were a great source of comfort to him in his old age, and could steal 

 more horses than any other young men in his band. 



As these forays are often attended with much toil and danger, they 

 are called "war expeditions." It not unfrequently happens that but six 

 or eight 3 7 oung men set out upon one of these adventures, and the only 

 outfit they require is a horse, with their war equipments, consisting of 

 the bow and arrows, lance and shield, with occasionally a gun. Thus 

 prepared, they set out upon a journey of a thousand miles or more, 

 through a perfectly wild and desolate country, dependent for subsistence 

 wholly upon such game as they may chance to find. They make their 

 way to the northern provinces of Mexico, where they lie in wait near 

 some hacienda until a favorable opportunity offers to sweep down upon 

 a solitary herdsman, and, with the most terrific yells, drive before them 

 all the animals they desire. Wo to the panic-stricken ranchero who 

 7 



