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 a shot 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 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 paper, 
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, and 
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 
