TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843
prisoner girls who had been given up to him, it was decided to proceed thither first. Our guests left us the next mm:·ning for the Waco village. By them I sent presents of tobacco t,J the head Chiefs of the Tawakoni, Waco and Keechi. On the 27th started qu:te early and towards evening came in sight of the Anadarko viUage, encamped and sent a runner to appraise the chief Jose Maria oi our arirval and the objects of our coming. On the morning of the 28th we were notified of the approach of the chief. He shortly appeared escorted by thirty of his warriors splendidly mounted presenting and exciting novel and interesting sight from their unequalled horsemanship, fanciful costumes and paint. I invited them to dismount and had scarcely finished eating and smoking with them. when a runner came in announcing the approach of Nah- ish-t0-wah the head chief of the Waco, he happened to be on a hunting excursion when our guests of a few days previous met him and informing b~m of our arrival he came on immediately to see his white friends and the prisoner girls we had with us. He shortly made his appearance with an escort of about twenty warriors advancing in cavalry style. The commission headed by A-cah-quash proceeded a short distance to meet him when he and three of his chiefs dismounted embraced us in a cordial manner and expressed themselves glad to see us among them for the purpose of making peace. After inviting them to camp Nah-ish-to-wah desired to see his girls. I sent for then\ but the eldest had secreted herself, the younger came but with great reluctance. The old chief was deeply affected at seeing her. She was his brothers child but so long time had elapsed since he had seen her that he had almost forgotten her. The chief was then invited to join the circle and scarcely seated before a delegation of Keechi was announced. It consisted of a small hunting party with the principal chief at its head and was en- camped within a few miles of the Anadarko village, we again advanced to meet them as before and the same ceremonies hav- ing been performed each of the Chiefs made a short speech to the effect, "that the Great Spirit was looking down upon us and would witness the sincerity of our welcome." They were also invited to join our circle increasing the number of our guests to about seventy five. There was no council held at this time but a day appointed for one so soon ag thP Caddo Chiefs came
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