30 
COMANCHE INDIANS.-NATURAL VINEYARDS. 
deadly venom. It was evident to the Doctor that, in Western parlance, “he had waked the 
wrong passenger.” There was to he a struggle. It commenced; the Doctor trying in vain to 
mow down his wily antagonist. Keen eyes watched every motion, and as the strokes descended 
the agile form glided past, and sprang towards the assailant. For some time a lively contest 
was kept up, and it seemed doubtful which would gain the victory. At length, however, both 
became weary, and a successful blow placed his snakeship hors du combat. The Doctor then 
tired eight shots in rapid succession ; whether to complete his conquest, or celebrate his victory, 
does not fully appear. But supposing him to be in a desperate fight with Indians, a party 
galloped off to his rescue. 
The relief party, scouring the prairies, found a wounded buffalo, which one of them kindly 
pierced with a rifle-ball and put out of misery. It was the first killed upon the trip, and 
consequently a glorious achievement. A short distance beyond they came across a small party 
of well-mounted Comanclies, whom they brought in prisoners. The Indians appeared wary, 
cautious, and watchful. Having told us that upon the other side of the Canadian there were 
large numbers of their tribe, they suddenly forgot all their Spanish, and by signs desired us to 
know that they could not understand a word we said to them. Indians think it undignified to 
speak other than their native tongue. Hence, all great chiefs have interpreters. We sought 
for Vincente, but, as usual when wanted, he was chasing buffalo or deer over the prairies. 
That is his passion. The Indians declined our invitation to camp. Before allowing them to 
depart we gave them a pipe and tobacco to smoke. They performed the operation in a singular 
manner. The first two* puffs, with much ceremony and muttering between, were sent towards 
the sun. The next, in similar manner, was blown down to the ground. When the artist had 
taken their portraits, they were allowed to go. Another was afterwards seen lurking among 
the hills, and watching our movements. 
Having travelled about sixteen miles, we encamped near the mouth of Wolf creek. The 
natural mounds appear upon our left. The country across the prairie spurs is still dreary and 
barren. The ravines, however, are generally wooded and watered. The valley of the Cana¬ 
dian seems to offer greater facilities for a railway than the more direct route which we have 
traversed. The carretela which carries the instruments was again upset, and another barometer 
broken. One of the chronometers also must have been deranged, as it stopped this evening in 
the midst of the observations. 
September 8 —Camp 38.—Two miles’ travel along the sandy bed of a creek brought us to the 
Canadian valley ; at that place a mile in width, and appearing to have a good soil. On the 
opposite bank were sand-hills, and a border of trees. Following the edge of the valley for 
lour miles, we reached the mouth of Dry river, the wide sandy bed of which bore upon its sur¬ 
face recent traces of water. Higher up was a flowing stream. We passed through some 
drifted sand-hills ; and, to avoid ravines, continued to ascend the Canadian valley, which had 
nearly doubled in width. Having made about eighteen miles, we encamped near the mouth 
of Wine creek, where were acres of land covered with grape-vines, looking like a cultivated 
vineyard. The fruit, which covers the vines in magnificent clusters, -is small, juicy, and of an 
agreeable flavor. It does not appear yet to be fully ripe. We have passed to-day hills similar 
in character and form to the Antelope hills. These appear to be the last mesa remnants of a 
llano, or prairie, which once covered the whole region. The other parts of the formation have 
been abraded and swept away, forming undulating prairies, valleys, ravines, and sometimes 
canons. 
September 9 —Camp 39.—At our last camp grama grass was more abundant than usual. The 
water in the channel of the Canadian was probably three feet deep, and moderately clear. 
After leaving camp we crossed a spur of hills that approached the river, and again descended to 
the valley, which became wide and contained good grass and clumps of trees. Six miles brought 
* Vincente, upon learning this afterwards, said they were medicine men, and very bad. He has great fear of their spells and 
incantations. 
