ed on successful
invasions for many years. They have devastated and depopulated a great
portion of Sonora and Chihuahua. The objects of these forays are to
steal horses and mules, and to take prisoners; and if it so happens
that a war-party has been unsuccessful in the accomplishment of these
ends, or has had the misfortune to lose some of its number in battle,
they become reckless, and will often attack a small party with whom
they are not at war, provided they hope to escape detection. The
disgrace attendant upon a return to their friends without some trophies
as an offset to the loss of their comrades is a powerful incentive to
action, and they extend but little mercy to defenseless travelers who
have the misfortune to encounter them at such a conjuncture.

While en route from New Mexico to Arkansas in 1849 I was encamped near
the head of the Colorado River, and wishing to know the character of
the country for a few miles in advance of our position, I desired an
officer to go out and make the reconnoissance. I was lying sick in my
bed at the time, or I should have performed the duty myself. I expected
the officer would have taken an escort with him, but he omitted to do
so, and started off alone. After proceeding a short distance he
discovered four mounted Indians coming at full speed directly toward
him, when, instead of turning his own horse toward camp, and
endeavoring to make his escape (he was well mounted), or of halting and
assuming a defensive attitude, he deliberately rode up to them; after
which the tracks indicated that they proceeded about three miles
together, when the Indians most brutally killed and scalped my most
unfortunate but too credulous friend, who might probably have saved his
life had he not, in the kindness of his excellent heart, imagined that
the savages would reciprocate his friendly advances. He was most
woefully mistaken, and his life paid the forfeit of his generous and
noble disposition.

I have never been able to get any positive information as to the
persons who committed this murder, yet circumstances render it highly
probable that they were a party of young Indians who were returning
from an unsuccessful foray, and they were unable to resist the
temptation of taking the scalp and horse of the lieutenant.

A small number of white men, in traveling upon the Plains, should not
allow a party of strange Indians to approach them unless able to resist
an attack under the most unfavora