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INCIDENTS AT THE 
as for saddle cloths. These blankets are superior to 
any native fabric I have ever seen ; in fact, they are 
quite equal to the best English blankets, except that 
they are without any nap. I have been told that 
they spin and dye the wool, which they raise them- 
selves ; though others assert that the richer colors are 
obtained by unravelling fine scarlet blankets of Eng- 
lish manufacture, the threads of which are then used 
in the weaving of their own. Whether this is true or 
not I am unable to state. At any rate, even if true, 
this forms but a very small portion of the fabric, the 
remainder of which is undoubtedly spun and woven 
by themselves. 
We had some little bartering with these people, 
giving them shirts and other articles of wearing 
apparel for their bows and arrows, and caps, and 
some of our party were so fortunate as to obtain some 
fine specimens of their blankets. I got a small one of 
inferior quality, but sufficient to show the style of their 
manufacture. 
Many believed that the Navajos who visited us on 
the occasion referred to, were but spies to learn our 
numbers, and see whether any thing could be gained 
by attacking us ; a belief in which I participated, and 
which subsequent events strengthened. We never 
saw them after. 
July 5th. .One of the cooks disappeared last night, 
taking with him a fine horse, one of Colt’s large revolv- 
ers, and sundry articles of clothing. He was pursued 
by Mr. White and another, who overtook him on 
the plains two days after, recovered the horse and 
pistol, and left him to find his way to the settlements 
as he could. 
