Another three days' journey brought us to one
of the forks of the Trinity, and there we met with two companies of
Texan rangers and spies, under the command of a certain Captain Hunt,
who had been sent from the lower part of the river to protect the
northern plantations. With him I found five gentlemen, who, tired of
residing in Texas had taken the opportunity of this military escort to
return to the Arkansas. As soon as they heard that I was going there
myself, they offered to join me, which I agreed to, as it was now
arranged that Gabriel and Roche should not accompany me further than to
the Red River[22].
[Footnote 22: It may appear singular to the reader that the Comanches,
being always at war with the Texans, should not have immediately
attacked the party under the orders of Hunt. But we were merely a
hunting-party; that is to say, our band was composed chiefly of young
hunters, not yet warriors. On such occasions there is frequently, though
not always, an ancient warrior for every eight hunters, just to show to
them the crafts of Indian mode of hunting. These parties often bring
with them their squaws and children, and never fight but when obliged
to do so.]
The next morning I received a visit from Hunt and two or three inferior
officers, to advise upon the following subject.
Pages:
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349