This first part of their punishment being over, their paint
was washed off, and the chief passed them over to us, who were, with the
addition I have mentioned, now eight white men. "They are too mean,"
said the chief, "to receive a warrior's death; judge them according to
your laws; justice must be done."
It was an awful responsibility; but we judged them according to the laws
of the United States and of Texas: they were condemned to be hanged, and
at sunset they were executed. For all I know, their bodies may still
hang from the lower branches of the three large cotton-wood trees upon
the head waters of the Trinity River.
CHAPTER XXVII.
We remained a few days where we were encamped to repose our horses and
enable them to support the fatigues of our journey through the rugged
and swampy wilderness of North-east Texas. Three days after the
execution of the three prisoners, some of our Indians, on their return
from a buffalo chase, informed us that several Texan companies,
numbering two hundred men, were advancing in our direction, and that
probably they were out upon an expedition against the Indians of the
Cross Timbers, as they had with them many waggons evidently containing
nothing but provisions and ammunition.
We were encamped in a strong position, and of course did not think of
retiring.
Pages:
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352