The killing of a human being to deprive him of a garment which was almost worthless, is perfectly characteristic of the depravity exhibited by the lower classes of Mexicans. It is a singular fact that these people love to steal trifling articles, or, sums of money. We remember two instances where this trait is singularly illustrated. An American, on one occasion, left on a table, in his log house, a large sum of money in gold. He sent a Mexican into this room to bring him something which he wanted, but the man returned saying he could not find it. The American now went himself to look for the article, and, while in the house, recounted his money and found one of the smallest coins missing. He at once called the thief and charged him with the crime. The Mexican knew this American to be very resolute; when, therefore, he heard him threaten him with severe and summary punishment if he did not, at once, produce the money, he knew there was no escape, and accordingly drew from its hiding-place, on his person, the missing coin and restored it to its owner. The American, being used to such every-day occurrences, passed by the affair without further notice. In the other instance an American was traveling and had occasion to stop at a Mexican's house during the night. On going to pay his bill for his lodging in the morning, he noticed that two pieces of his money had been abstracted while he was sleeping. These coins had been taken one from either end of his purse. This was what drew his attention to the fact of his having been robbed. The host was informed of what had happened and at once proceeded to restore the missing money. He called his son to him, a boy twenty years of age, and after threatening a good deal, he made the lad take his choice between owning the theft or submitting to the risk of being discovered by a search of his person for the missing coins. This had the desired effect, and at once the stolen property was returned to its rightful owner.
Both of these facts are simple, and perhaps, uninteresting; but they serve to exhibit a characteristic of the lower classes of Mexicans. Doubtless, such paltry thieving is the result of a want of animal courage, easily discernible by the close observer of the Mexican race. Of course there are many exceptions to this statement.
The white men interested in the council had their hands full in their endeavors to smooth over this affair, for the Indians were much dissatisfied with such treatment. At first they demanded that reparation should be made them by their agents giving them a certain number of horses. The Superintendent explained to them that he had not the power to do this, but he assured them that the murderers should be arrested and dealt with according to law. The Indians willingly received this promise, but seemed to feel, as finally was the fact, that they were doomed to be disappointed as far as the punishment was concerned. It afterwards happened that only one of the murderers was apprehended, and in a very short time after he was locked up as a prisoner, he succeeded in making his escape and was never retaken. This was all that was ever done by those in authority to render the justice that had been agreed upon and which was richly due to the Indians. After quitting the council, and while on their way back to their hunting-ground, the small pox broke out among the red men, and carried off, in its ravages, the leading men of this band of Muache Utahs. On the first appearance of this trouble, the Indians held a council among themselves, and decided that the Superintendent was the cause of the pestilence that had visited them. They, also, decided that he had collected them together in order thus to injure them, and to further his designs he had presented, to each of their distinguished warriors, a blanket-coat. They found that nearly every Indian who had accepted and worn this article, had died.
It so happened that the writer, several years after these events occurred, visited the camp where this pestilence reigned in its full vigor. The site of this camp was very beautiful. Perhaps it was this, aided by other circumstances, which caused the red men to select it as a refuge for their sick. The place is located on the west side of the Valley of San Luis, and is about midway between its upper and lower extremes. Two mountain streams have so joined as to form a peninsula of tableland which is well shaded by cotton-wood trees. This ground, when the writer saw it, was literally strewn with the bleached bones of the Indian victims who had died from the scourge. As we lifted up one skull and another, the thought struck us that, perhaps, we might have touched the bones which once belonged to the famous chief, Chico Velasques, of whom we have before spoken, as it was here that he died. Had we done so knowingly, on account of that man's many cruel deeds, a thrill of horror must have run through our veins. The funeral rites of the dead among the Indians were clearly exemplified here.
Whatever may be these rites observed among the Indians on the west side of the Rocky Mountains, I am satisfied that most of the tribes of Indians on the east side of this same range, use but few, if any, imposing ceremonies in committing the body to the dust. It is very difficult to find the bones of an Indian on the plains, and therefore I believe, and herein I am assisted by the observations of experienced men, that these Indians burn their dead bodies when they can do so, or completely hide them in the mountains by covering them with rocks, so that it is impossible to find them. Such a course would also serve the purpose of preventing the wolves from digging them up. The high-colored novels, referred to heretofore, which have, during the past few years, had for their theme the Indian race, love to dwell on the imposing and affecting spectacle of an Indian burial. When stripped of fancy, the truth is, that beyond the lamenting of a few hysterical squaws and the crackling of the flames of the funeral pile, there is little else done that is noticeable.
But to return to results of the council. The Indians naturally enough, argued and persuaded themselves that these presents were intended as poisonous destroyers, and that they had been steeped in contagion for that end. It wanted but the happening of this affair, or a similar one, to destroy the small amount of confidence which the superintendent had hitherto enjoyed with these savages. While they were secretly preparing for war, they anxiously inquired of the traders who came among them, what was transpiring in regard to the Mexican prisoners who had wantonly murdered their brave. On each separate occasion they were answered with intelligence that did not in the least satisfy them. They, therefore, renewed their energies in order soon to be ready to take the redress in their own hands. Kit Carson apprehended difficulty, even at the council; but, after it broke up, he was early apprised of the trouble which was brewing; and, to prevent any outbreak, he brought all his Indian experience to bear upon the task. In him they said that they knew they had a true friend; but, their nation had received too many wrongs to allow any more to be thrust upon them without showing to the world that they were worthy of the names which their fathers had given to them.
CHAPTER XVII.
The Commencement of a formidable Indian War—High-handed Measures on the Part of the Indians—The Governor of New Mexico raises five hundred Mexican Volunteers and places them under the Command of Colonel St. Vrain—Colonel Fauntleroy placed in Command of all the Forces—Kit Carson is chosen as Chief Guide—The Campaign commenced—The Trail found—The Indians are met and the first Fight and its Consequences—An Excitement in Camp—The Indians again overtaken—The return to Fort Massachusetts—Intense Cold Weather experienced—The Second Campaign—Colonel Fauntleroy surprises the Main Camp of the Enemy—The War and Scalp Dance broken up—Terrible Slaughter of the Indians—The Great Amount of Plunder taken and destroyed—Another small Party of Indians surprised and routed—St. Vrain equally fortunate in his Campaign—The Indians sue for Peace—The Council held and Treaties signed—Kit Carson opposes the making of them—The poor Protection Indian Treaties usually afford to Settlers—Kit Carson's House at Taos and his Indian Friends—His Attachment for his Family put to the test—Cowardice of a Mexican—Kit Carson's Friends as they look upon him—His influence over Indians—General remarks—Conclusion.
The Muache band of Utahs, under their renowned Chief Blanco, after trading for all the powder and lead which they required, joined the Apaches and commenced the war in earnest. They waylaid and murdered travelers on the roads, attacked towns, killed and made prisoners the people who inhabited them, and became so formidable that for a length of time everything was at their mercy. They lost no opportunity in showing their power and in possessing themselves of the finest herds of horses, mules, cattle and sheep within their reach.