TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843
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in Council. The Keechi Chief before alluded to as being un- willing to attend was present. The Chiefs all expressed a great desire for peace and promised to attend the council on the Trin- ity. I gave them a small quantity of tobacco and the council adjourned. On the 23d the Delaware having no possible excuse for farther delay we started and encamped at an old lodge of Ka-ta-ah-sah the Wichita Chief. On the 25th we reached Pecan Creek where we had been informed the Comanche were, but found no fresh signs of them. Owing to the continuance of heavy rains and the severe illness of the Comanche boy "William Hock- ley," who was unable to ride, we were obliged to remain en- camped. Runners were sent out in quest of the Comanche with instructions not to remain out longer than two days. They did not return however until the, 2d. of August, having seen no signs of the Comanche, it was therefore supposed by the Dela- ware that they had gone down the country. We then concluded to turn our steps homeward on the other side of the Mountains from that we came up on. On the 3d. Started and encamped with a party of Delaware traders who like ourselves were in quest of the Comanche. On the 4th recrossed Red River and discovered fresh signs convincing us of the proximity of the Comanche. We pitched our camp on the bank of a small c,:eek and almost immediately A-cab-quash cried out "Coman- ches," two horsemen were seen approaching and proved to be an old blind man and a boy returning from gathering plums. He gave us the welcome information, that the encampment of the Comanche is within five miles of us but unfortunately the Chief Pah-hah-yuco had started in the morning for the Wichita village. I immediately requested Shaw and Conner to send run- ners there and acquaint the Chief of our arrvial at his town, and request his return, being fearful that he might delay his visit longer than he otherwise would if he was aware of our coming. They re.plied that one of the runners was unwell the other too tired and that they could not go themselves I tried to impress upon them the importance of our time as the Council day was 1.early at hand, but the same indifference as thretofore
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