ENCAMPMENT BROKEN UP.—CANADIAN VALLEY. 
33 
During the commotion in the tent Vincente was greatly frightened. He disliked their 
smoking to the sun, and said “they were had men to do that; they were sorcerers, and were 
casting a spell to do us harm.” Nothing could shake the hoy’s belief in the witchcraft he had 
seen practised among the Comanches. Desiring to learn more of the captives before taking 
any action upon their affairs, Ave sought Andres and took him to a tent. He had no special 
complaint to make against the Indians. He declined to go with us himself, being unwilling 
to sacrifice the property that he possessed. He was owner of twelve mules, broken to the 
saddle, and an unknown number of wild mares and colts. The captive woman, he said, would 
join us at our next camp, provided Ave would furnish a bridle-bit to guide her horse. He said 
that this would be more agreeable to them than "to be taken by force. The bit Avas accordingly 
loaned for the service. He was asked why the Kai-6-was smoked to the sun. He said it Avas to 
their god, whom they thus worshipped to invoke his blessing. When Ave had obtained from 
him a vocabulary of the Kai-6-wa language, and given him some presents, he Avent aAvay. It 
was now night, and he ran to the A r illage leaping, shouting, and whooping like a full-blooded 
savage. At the same time the yelling of the Indians, and the plashing of their horses in the 
water, made knoAvn to us that a party Avas crossing the Canadian—for Avliat purpose we could 
not conceive. After this, there Avas moderate quiet till morning. 
September 10 —Camp 40.—The Indian chief was in camp soon after daybreak, with an excuse 
for not sending the Mexicans with us. He led by the hand his blue-eyed boy, and begged a 
present for him. He thought, doubtless, that by showing a little paternal affection he might 
be saved from a separation. The mother soon folloAved—riding up to the tent on a vicious 
looking pony, with a thong for a bridle, and two strings for stirrups. The old chief seemed 
vexed at her coming, she being his third and favorite wife, and probably ordered her back, for 
she quickly left, scarcely speaking a word. The child soon followed. The woman looked very 
sad, and seemed to supplicate for freedom. While discussing the matter with Lieutenant Jones, 
one of the Mexican traders reported that the Indians had robbed him of several articles. The 
chief was directed to see them restored. He Avent to the village as if to obey; and, almost 
instantaneously their skins were packed, the lodge-poles tied to the sides of horses, and the Avhole 
party mounted, ready for a start. Secure in the fleetness of their horses, with their captives 
guarded, they quietly waited for our departure. 
Taking the advice of the Mexicans, Ave crossed the Canadian—here a quarter of a mile wide, 
two or three feet deep, and full of quicksands. The difficulties encountered in this operation 
nearly banished the Indians from our thoughts. They entered the wood, probably to ascend 
Valley river, and join a party that the traders had seen in that direction. FolloAving the north 
bank of the river tAvo or three miles, and seeing no obstacle upon the southern side, we re-crossed 
and travelled fifteen miles to camp. We have passed many ravines, which are water-courses 
tributary to the Canadian. The one at the mouth of which we are encamped, called Spring 
creek, contains a rivulet of pure Avater, flowing beneath a grove of alamos. The valley 
abounds in grapes, which are sweeter, perhaps because riper, than those gathered beloAv. Had 
they been cultivated, they could hardly have been produced in greater profusion. 
Jose Gfarcia, the Mexican trader Avho has joined our party, says that the Ivai-o-was are a 
numerous tribe, scarcely inferior to Comanches, Avith whom they have a perpetual alliance. He 
tells us that both by Mexicans and Indians Red river is called “Rio Palo Duro;” Washita, “Rio 
Negro;” and the Canadian, “Rio Colorado.” This confusion of names is doubtless one cause 
of the mistake of Baron Humboldt and Colonel Long in taking the headwaters of the Canadian 
for the source of Red river. 
September 11 —Camp 41.—We continued up the valley of the Canadian, which increases in 
width, receiving many Avooded tributaries from the south. At noon we saw upon the opposite 
side of the river the adobe ruins of Avhat the Mexicans call an American fort or trading-house. 
There, many years ago, whiskey was sold to the Indians, who, in a fit of intoxication, mur¬ 
dered the occupants and set fire to the establishment. It was a large building, finely situated 
5 h 
