TO HORSE-HEAD CROSSING. 
81 
had not seen them. As they showed no inclination to 
leave, we were obliged to give them a supper, after 
which they asked permission to remain all night with 
us. This I felt reluctant to grant, not knowing but 
some treachery or trick might be meditated, such as 
running off our animals during the night. On further 
reflection, however, I consented, on condition that they 
remained by the fires without the encampment — at the 
same time warning them, not to come near us in the 
dark, lest our guard should take them for Comanches 
and shoot them. They obeyed my injunctions, and 
remained quietly by the fires. The night was rather 
cool, and day had scarcely dawned, when I was 
aroused by a tap at the window of my carriage, in 
which I slept. Rising up, I found old Chipota there 
shivering with cold. On opening the door, he 
whispered, “ Mucho frio — poco de viskey Very cold 
— a little whiskey. I was compelled again to deny 
the old man, but compromised the matter soon after by 
giving him a bowl of hot coffee. 
The Lipans are a large and warlike tribe, extending 
from Zacatecas, in Mexico, to the Colorado of Texas. 
In fact, they rove from the sea-coast to the borders of 
New Mexico, and have as wide a range as the 
Comanches. During the winter, they remain in the 
Bolson de Mapimi, a vast region lying west of the Rio 
Grande, which has few inhabitants, except the untamed 
Comanches and Lipans. The portion of the tribe in 
Texas are at present on friendly terms with the whites, 
but are sworn foes of the Comanches, whom they profess 
to hold in great contempt. The Lipans, in common 
with the Indian tribes of Mexico, and of the States 
VOL. I. 6 
