Page:Boissonnas, Un Vaincu, English, 1875.djvu/39

 light escort. Often even with only one servant, he joined, at considerable distances, caravans of Chiefs with whom he intended to smoke the peace pipe, according to tradition. The astonishment caused by his daring was, without doubt, what saved him. Soon, among the Indians, he passed for a man protected by the great spirit. Marvelous stories were told from clearing to clearing about the new white chief, and his name acquired all the popularity attainable in a savage country.

The dealings which had taken place until that time between the American command and the Comanche changed completely. So much so, that no revolt took place while Colonel Lee remained in Texas. His military actions were limited to watching over the vagrant Indians who belonged to no tribe and looted indifferently friend or foe.

However, the system adopted by Colonel Lee turned out to present disadvantages for himself. His visits to the Indian Chiefs were scrupulously reciprocated, as he certainly wanted it to be. But, he had not taken into account the requirements of Comanche politeness. One of the articles of its code, not yet printed, requires that any person to whom a visit is made, must not leave his visitor, even for the shortest time. And the Comanche arrived at day-break and left only at sunset. Another rule is that the person visited offers his visitor a gift that the latter really likes. The visitor must never ask