92 RETURN FROM SAN FRANCISCO 
The Sergeant, at my request, sent for an old Indian 
of the neighborhood, who called himself a chief. On 
learning that an officer of the U. 8. government wished 
to see him, he made his appearance with three others 
of his tribe. The old man presented himself in the 
dress of a Mexican officer—a blue coat with red facings 
trimmed with gold lace, and a high military cap and 
feather. He was quite communicative, and answered 
my questions readily. In giving me the words of his 
language, he enunciated them with great distinctness, 
and would not be satisfied with my pronunciation until 
all could at once recognise the word. When I had 
completed my vocabulary, and read off the native 
words, he evinced great pleasure as he repeated the 
corresponding word in Spanish, occasionally exclaim- 
ing Bueno, or Muy Bueno! He called his tribe the 
Kecht. 
On inquiring as to the state of things when the 
padres were here, the old man heaved a deep sigh. 
He said his tribe was large, and his people all happy, 
when the good fathers were here to protect them. That 
they cultivated the soil; assisted inrearing large herds 
of cattle; were taught to be blacksmiths and carpen- 
ters, as well as other trades; that they had plenty to 
eat, and were happy. He remembered when three 
thousand of his tribe were settled in the valley, depend- 
ent upon or connected with this mission. Now he said 
they were scattered about, he knew not where, with- 
out a home or protectors, and were in a miserable starv- 
ing condition. A few hundred alone remained in some 
villages up the valley, a few miles from the mission. 
He spoke with much affection of Father Peyri, its 
