Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. I

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843

268

advanced I deferred meeting them until the following morning. After the warriors had withdrawn to their different lodges Pah- hah-yuco came to my tent and told me of the proceedings of the day, adding that I must go to sleep and rest 'in safety, for none of his people should molest us during the night. He then mounted his horse and rode through and around the encamp- ment giving commands in a loud tone of voice, the import of which was that no one should trouble us during the night or interfere with our horses or other property. On the 8th I met the Comanche in Council. I had the prisoners neatly dressed and took them with me, seating them by my side. The Alamo Council pipe was then produced and smoking commenced, in this ceremony the Chief did not participate, nor did he ever smoke with me while I remained with him. After smoking Pah-hah-yuco addressed a few words to the warriors assembled enjoining them upon strict attention to what was said. I then addressed the Chief who was seated in front of me in the centre to the fo11owing import, through the interpreters. "I am glad to meet my red broth- er Pah-hah-yuco the great chief of the Comanche in peace-I am glad that he has been willing to receive the hand of friend- ship I have extended to him-The Great Spirit is alike the father of the white man and the red-He looks down upon us now, and if we speak the truth to each other he will be pleased and smile upon us--But if we speak lies as with a forked Tongue, his anger will rest upon us like the dark clouds of night and we shall never be permitted to live in and enjoy the pleasant hunt- ing grounds beyond the skies-Therefore my talk shall be the truth and the words of my brother Pah-hah-yuco shall be laid up as such in my heart-I will remember them and tell my great chief that the words of Pah-hah-yuco are good-That hjs tongue --speaks no lies--Houston the great chief of Texas has always been the friend of the Red man-He grew up from a Child among them-he has sat by their side and eaten bread with them since he became a man-He has never told the red man a lie nor has he ever turned away from his friends-When he takes Pah-hah-yuco and his people by the hand he will never turn away from them-but while they keep peace and treat us as brothers he will always be their friend and never forget them -nor shall the winds scatter his words-It is his desire and the

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