76 FREDERICKSBURG 
appearance. Passed several communities of prairie 
dogs, with the same interlopers before noticed, the 
rattlesnake and owl. I also observed rabbits among 
them, which took refuge in their underground dwell- 
ings. Flocks of plover were seen to-day on the barren 
hills. The jackass-rabbit also crossed our path occa- 
sionally; but it sprang up so suddenly, and darted 
through the low chapporal or bushes so rapidly, that I 
could not get ashot at one. Some catfish and trout 
were taken in the stream within a few rods of our 
camp. The men who were out with the mules reported 
that they had seen fresh Indian signs near us, which 
caused us to keep a diligent look-out. 
October 24th. Just as we were leaving camp this 
morning, in fact after I had myself started, and was 
looking for a place to ford the stream, an Indian 
mounted on a mule suddenly appeared from behind a 
clump of bushes, and the next moment was in the 
midst of the camp. He advanced to the nearest party 
with his hand extended, and was received in a friendly 
manner. As soon as salutations had been exchanged, 
he hastily drew from his pouch a packet, and, after 
undoing sundry wrappings of buckskin and- pape?, 
drew forth several documents, which proved to be from 
various American officials. The first was from Judge 
Rollins, Indian Agent; the others from our military 
officers, certifying that the bearer was a Lipan chief 
of eminence, named Chi-po-ta, with whom a treaty of 
peace and friendship had recently been made, am 
asking the protection and kind treatment of all Ameri 
cans who should pass through his country. 
This chief was about sixty years of age, rather 
