TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
96
last burrow in the ground, and live in little subterranean villages; they partake more of the qualities of the squirrel than of the canine species. Of the feathered tribe, the buzzard predomi- nates; these serve to guide the wanderer to an Indian camp, over which they generally hover, in anticipation of a plentiful repast at the evacuation. Wild turkeys are seen in large flocks; the small birds are scarce; owls, of several kinds, are plentiful, and render the night vocal with hoots and hideous screams; the cardinal (red-bird) inhabits the thickets, but it is seldom the ear is saluted with the carols of nature's songsters in those se- questered regions. The country adjacent to the San Saba, a principal western tributary of the Colorado, exhibits frequent indications of min- erals, particularly of iron, lead, and silver; I was shown a speci- men of copper ore, found near the Brazos, high up, which was apparently, almost pure. My informer, a Mr. Peyton Johnson, a very worthy man whom I found in the Comanche country, and who had visited the copper locality, assured me there were thousands of wagon-loads of ore, similar to the specimen, lying on the surface of the ground. There is, beyond doubt, more iron-ore in the inland regions of Texas than timber to smelt it: and enough to close hoop the globe with railroads. Stone-coal will assuredly be found in abundance, for the distribution of nature's bounties is ordinarily too equable and provident to per- mit the apprehension that a country abounding in the most useful and some of the precious metals should be destitute of the means to render them available. I never discovered or heard of any remains of ancient edi- fices or any tumuli, indicating the previous existence of a more enlightened race of men, in the Comanche country. Flints neatly formed into arrow-heads, are frequently found throughout Texas; some under ground, and some above-they are wrought into good shape and various sizes. The manner of their cleavage I do not know. The Indians now use iron points to their arrows; but the use of the bow and arrow is gradually diminishing, and giving way to that of fire-arms. The Lipan are a tribe of considerable importance, and may be ranked next to the Comanche among the Indians of Texas. They have affinity with the Seratick an<l the Mescelaro; and if estimated as identical with them, are very superior to the Co- manche in numbers. They have never made war upon our fron-
)
Powered by FlippingBook