TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843
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On the 6th considerable bustle was apparent in our camp. Couriers and expresses passed be- tween A-cah-quash and the village and after some time moved forward in order to meet the Chiefs and their escort half way. After crossing the river we halted in a shady grove with a small prairie in front and then dismounted. A-cab-quash had in- formed me that considerable preparations were making to re- ceive us in some style. I drew my party up in a line to make as good an appearance as possible and awaited their coming. In a few minutes our ears were greeted with the most terrific screaming and yelling together with the noise of drums and fifes which was nearly deafening. the woods seemed alive with in- dians and when the party consisting of at least one hundred and fifty warriors with the old Tawakoni Chief at their head came in sight from an opening in the timber the scene was novel ex- citing and of intense interest. They performed a great many evolutions such as riding in circles around us at the full speed of their horses, beating their drums and blowing their shrill whistles or fifes and finally drew up in a line immediately front- ing us. The principal Chiefs then dismounted and were severally introduced by A-cah-quash. The embraces of the Ta,vakoni Chiefs were apparently affectionate and sincere. We then formed a c"ircle and smoked the council pipe of peace after which accompanied by the Chiefs and their escort we mounted and proceeded to the Tawakoni village about four miles distant from the Waco. We did not stop at the latter village. it ap- peared to consist of only a few huts. On nearing the Tawakoni village we passed through their fields consisting of about one hundred acres planted with corn, beans melons and pumpkins all of which looked forward a.nd well. The village is situate on a very high hill and extremely difficult of access, the fields are at the foot of it in the bottom of one of the branches of the Trin•ity. The village is large and the lodges well built and ap- pear to be very comfortable. We encamped in about a quarter of a mile of the village. The report now is that the Comanche are on the Canadian river. On the 10th I met the Tawakoni and Waco in council. Ke-chi-ka-roque the chief of the former and head chief of all the associate tribes taking the principal seat-I opened by explaining the objects of my mission and made a few general remarks relative to the pacific policy of the ad- ministration and our desire for peace. The Delaware Shaw '
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