Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/583

Rh is narrow, but gradually widens outwards, and a herd is driven, or decoyed into it by a horse taught for the purpose. I have seen instances of attachment on the part of a young colt thus caught to a careful master, far stronger than any that I ever before witnessed in a horse.

Of the many tribes of Indians, who either occupy fixed habitations, or wander over certain districts of this vast country, the Comanches are by far the most numerous. Their principal occupation is the chase of the buffalo, which they follow to the north during the summer, over the vast plains which lie between the head-waters of the Red River, the Arkansas, the Bravo del Norte, and the Missouri. In the winter, when the snow compels the innumerable herds of these animals to seek a milder climate, the Indians deposit the skins which they have obtained amongst the mountains of San Saba, and pursue the buffaloes to the frontiers of Cohahuila. At this period they have not unfrequently stolen across the River Bravo del Norte, killed the herdsmen, and carried off the cattle from different parts of the adjacent districts. They have also occasionally ventured to attack the Haciendas and hamlets, carrying off the inhabitants, some of whom have been sold, as is currently reported throughout Cohahuila, as slaves, on the borders of the United States. The main cause of these atrocities is the iniquitous traffic carried on with some of the borderers, inhabitants of the State of Louisiana and its vicinity, who encourage these Indians, and purchase from them the fruits of their robberies. They also render them more dangerous enemies by supplying them with fire-arms and ammunition. The establishment of a Mexican Consul at Natchitoches, will, however, serve as a check to this evil; and whenever a properly regulated population is settled at Peccan point and its vicinity, through which all the communications with the Comanches now pass, it will be put an end to altogether.

These expeditions are almost invariably undertaken at the change of the moon, when the darkness of the nights aids the surprise, or facilitates the retreat; while the subsequent full moon enables the Indians to drive off the cattle and horses, which are the principal object of their incursions. The Spanish Government considered these evils of far less magnitude than the effects which were likely to be produced, were such steps