COPPER MINES. 311 
José Trinfan, ten or twelve years of age, belonged to 
Fronteras, in the same State, and had been held a pri- 
soner six years. Believing, from what they had heard 
the Indians say, who had visited the Copper Mines, 
that they would find protection with us, they sought 
our camp. They were both intelligent looking boys; 
their hair was cropped short, and they were entirely 
naked. 
When these youths were brought to me, Mangus 
Colorado and Delgadito, two prominent chiefs of the 
Apaches, and a number of their tribe, were present ; 
they already knew of the escape of the prisoners, and 
at once proposed that I should purchase them. I 
declined, telling them that the Americans did not buy 
captives; and furthermore, that having sought my 
protection, I should not deliver them up. In vain I 
endeavored to make the chiefs comprehend our treaty 
with Mexico, and the principles of justice and huma- 
nity on which it was based. They did not, or would 
not, understand, and left our camp evidently much 
offended. I requested Mangus Colorado to come to 
me on the following day, when I would endeavor to 
satisfy him. The day arrived, but Mangus did not 
appear ; and I began to be fearful that the friendly 
feeling which existed between the Commission and 
the Indians would be terminated by this event. I 
received intimations that the boys were not safe, and 
that an attempt would probably be made to recapture 
them the first opportunity. Determined not to be 
thwarted in this way, I sent them off at night, well 
clothed, in charge of four resolute men, with direc- 
tions to take them to the camp of General Condé and 
deliver them into his hands. 
