264 COMANCHES AND KIOWAS. Book II. 
(comparatively a trifling misfortune), should there be 
Indians in the neighbourhood the whole drove may be lost ; 
and for this reason predatory Indians seek to occasion a 
" stampede." The loss of the animals generally includes 
that of the waggons and property and the ruin of the pro- 
prietors, not unfrequently attended by the death of some of 
the party. 
The next day, in passing Jackson's Grove, a few poplars 
and willows growing on the bank of the Arkansas, we per- 
ceived on both sides of the river numerous bands of Indians 
riding toward us. We were here only a day's journey 
distant from Fort Atkinson, and had hardly cause to fear 
any attack from the Indians, whose appearance, moreover, 
was pacific. We found that these people were Comanches, 
on their journey east to hunt buffaloes. They inquired 
eagerly after the direction where the buffaloes were to be 
found, and about their enemies, the Pawnees, of whom 
they seemed to be in great dread, and on whose hunting- 
ground they did not venture to enter. 
During the summer ther^ had been in the neighbour- 
hood of the Fort an assembly of Indian tribes, numbering 
altogether several thousand men, for the purpose of receiv- 
ing the presents of the Government, which are due to them 
according to treaty. The Government agent for these 
tribes had not made his appearance as soon as he was 
expected, and the Indians had threatened to attack the 
next caravans if the presents did not arrive soon. The 
young warriors had been clamouring for the immediate 
commencement of hostilities, and the interference of the 
older and more sensible chief alone prevented an outbreak. 
Under these circumstances it was fortunate for us that a 
short time before our passing this way the presents had 
arrived, and had given the greatest satisfaction to the 
