tisfaction to hear him declare his intention of proceeding at once to
the valley of the Huerfano! To me it was joyful news: my comrades might
yet be rescued from the hands of the Arapahoes?

"Ma-ra-nee!" said he, again addressing himself to the huntress, "conduct
the stranger to your tent! Give him food. And you, _Cojo_!" he
continued, turning to the little Mexican, "you are skilled in medicine--
look to his wounds! He can repose while we are preparing. Ho! sound
the signal of _assembly_! Summon our braves to the war-dance!"

The last words were addressed to an Indian who was standing close behind
him. Quickly succeeding the order, the notes of a bugle burst upon the
air--strange sounds in an Indian camp! But the white man's music was
not the only sign of civilised life to be observed among the tents of
the Utahs. The guns and pistols--the spurs, lances, and saddles--the
shakos and helmets--all spoke of the spoiled _presidios_ on the Mexican
frontier; while fair-skinned _doncellas_ of Spanish race were seen
mingling with the copper-coloured squaws--aiding them in their domestic
duties--captives to all appearance contented with their captivity! None
of this was new to me. I had witnessed similar scenes in the land of
the Comanche. They are of daily occurrence along the whole frontier of
Spanish America: where the red man constantly encroaches--reclaiming the
country of his ancestors, wrested from him three centuries ago by the
cupidity of the _Conquistadores_.

Upon the side of the Indian now lies the strength--if not in numbers--at
least in courage and war-prowess. The horse he once dreaded has become
his dearest friend; and he can manage him with a skill scarcely equalled
by his pale-faced adversary. The lance and fire-weapon are in his
hands; the spirit-thunder no longer appals him: he knows its origin and
nature, and uses it in the accomplishment of a terrible retaliation! On
the northern continent, Utah and Yaqui, Kiowa and Comanche, Apache and
Navajo, have all proved their superiority over the degenerated
descendants of Cortez: as in the south have Cuncho and Cashibo, Goajira
and Auracanian, over those of the ruthless Pizarro. The red man no
longer goes to war as a mere savage. He has disciplined his strength
into a perfect strategy; and possesses a military system as complete as
that of most civilised nations. The Comanche cavalry charges in line,
and can perform evolutions to the call of the bu