338 INCIDENTS AT THE 
punished, as the Apaches punish those who commit 
murder. Did nota band of Apaches attack a small 
party of Americans, my countrymen, very lately on 
the Janos road? Did they not kill one of them, and 
pierce three others with their arrows? And did they 
not take from them all their property? Yes; you all 
know it to be true, and I know it tobetrue. I passed 
near the spot where it took place, three days after. 
The Apaches did not even bury their victim ; they left 
him lying by the road-side, food for the wolves and 
crows. Why do not the Americans revenge them- 
selves on you for this act? They are strong enough 
to do it. They have many soldiers, and in a few days 
can bring a thousand more here. But there would be 
no justice in that. The Americans believe this murder 
was committed by your bad men; by cowards. The 
Apaches have bad men among them; but you whoare 
now with us are our friends, and we will not demand 
redress of you. Yet, asI told you before, you must 
endeavor to find the men who killed our brother, and 
punish them. Our animals feed in your valleys ; some 
of your bad men might steal them, as they have already 
done; but the Americans would not make war on you 
for this. We hold you responsible, and shall call on 
you to find them and bring them back, as you have 
done. While the Apaches continue to do this, the 
Americans will be their friends and brothers. But if 
the Apaches take their property and you do not restore 
it, you can no longer be the friends of the Americans. 
War will then, follow; thousands of soldiers will take 
possession of your best lands, your grass valleys, and 
_ your watering-places, They will destroy every Apache 
