20 
DELAWARE INDIANS.-APPEARANCE OF COMET. 
wliat he might he able to communicate respecting the country we propose to traverse, and noted 
his remarks regarding the various springs and streams supposed to exist. His opinion was, 
that, generally throughout the year, water would he found in abundance upon this route ; but, 
on account of the remarkable drought, our chance of finding a supply would be exceedingly 
doubtful. 
There are said to be five hundred Delawares living upon the Canadian. Black Beaver admits 
that they are less advanced in civilization and arts than those of the tribe who reside in the 
country allotted to them; but he considers that region too cold. Considerable intimacy exists, 
and intermarriages occur, between the Shawnees and Delawares. There is also some resem¬ 
blance in personal appearance, both wearing the moustache. A vocabulary of the Delaware 
language was obtained and verified as carefully as the patience of our interpreter would permit. 
Black Beaver pretended to know but little of the superstitions of his people, and did not have 
much faith in them. “In fact,” said he, “sometimes I believe, and sometimes I don’t.” His 
tribe, like the Creeks, have their priests or medicine men ; who, having been warned by a dream, 
put on the sacerdotal robes, and minister at the sacred fires. Once a year, with great ceremony, 
this fire is renewed. It is then constantly kept up by the priests, who are paid a sort of tithe; 
each man giving, according to his means, a horse, a cow, or of the produce of his fields. The 
medicine men pretend to cure diseases and foretell events. 
August 20 —Camp 21.—By the carelessness of the herders, the mules were allowed to stray, 
and fifty were reported lost. Parties were immediately despatched from camp in various direct¬ 
ions to search the woods and prairie, and before night all but three were recovered. Mr. Gaines 
and the wagon-master are ill to-day. The former thinks his health too precarious to allow him 
to accompany us farther; and proposes to proceed to Fort Arbuckle, and there remain till he 
has sufficiently recruited to return home. 
August 21 —Camp 21.—The beef-cattle, purchased of Chisholm, broke from the corral and 
escaped from the herders last night. Another day was required to secure them. An ineffectual 
search has also been made for the three lost mules. White men make indifferent herders. For 
taking care of mules, one Mexican peon is worth half a dozen of them. 
The official reports to the government have been put in charge of Mr. Warren, who returns 
from this place to Fort Smith. He also takes the zoological collection, to forward to the Smith¬ 
sonian Institute. Arrangements have been made to enable Mr. Gaines to go to Fort Arbuckle 
for medical attendance. 
This evening a comet was discovered about 15° above the horizon, and 12° north of west, 
with a vertical train directed towards the zenith. It was too low to allow its altitude to be 
taken by a sextant and artificial horizon, but its distances from Jupiter, Arcturus, and Polaris, 
were observed. The nucleus was about the size of Jupiter, but as faint as Venus after daybreak. 
The train was bright, extending about 1| degrees. 
During the regular astronomical observations many brilliant meteors were seen. For a few 
nights past we have noticed an increase in their number. 
It has been already mentioned that Chisholm possesses several Mexican captives purchased 
from the Comanches. Their names are, Vincente, son of a man called Demensio, from Parras, 
and formerly of Tinaja; Mazimo, Guadalupe, Cidro Canales, and Mariana Transito. Besides 
these there are two young women whose names are forgotten. Vincente was a long time with 
his captors, and speaks the Comanche language perfectly. He is a bright, active, intelligent 
lad, and Chisholm is very fond of him ; but on account of our need of an interpreter, he has 
kindly given him permission to join our party. 
August 22 —Camp 22.—Unable to remain longer, we commissioned Black Beaver to have a 
search made for the lost mules, promising a reward to any one who should restore them. Camp 
was then struck, and the party resumed the march and survey. Mr. Gaines and myself drove 
to Beaversville, where he proposed to obtain a guide to Fort Arbuckle. But as we approached 
the village, instead of the quiet heretofore noticed, a confused jargon of sounds issued from 
