, and to my being frequently entrusted with
important enterprises. In fact, the more desperate an undertaking, the
more certainly would I be called upon to achieve it. To this state of
affairs I made no objection, for I coveted the sort of distinction or
notoriety it gave me, and as I rarely failed of success, I steadily
gained in prestige and influence. But I have never been able to attain a
seat in the council, or to reach any higher rank than that I now hold.
This I attributed to the influence of Tonsaroyoo and Wakometkla, both of
whom regard me with ill-concealed dislike, although they are compelled
to acknowledge me as one of the best warriors of their nation.

"I have led my chosen band in many a daring adventure, and have never
returned without some trophy of my prowess. Among the many scenes of
this nature through which I have passed, I will recount the following,
which will prove to you that in what I have said of myself I have made
no idle boast.

"On one occasion Stonhawon, the second chief, went with about two
hundred warriors into the Utah country, with a view of replenishing our
stock of horses, as we had lost a large number through the polite
attentions of the Utahs and Arapahoes. His party was gone some fifteen
days, and returned with only eight horses, and with the loss of five
men. This was considered a terrible disgrace, and many of the young
warriors begged me to lead them, and by a successful raid remove the
shame they felt at the defeat of Stonhawon's party.

"Selecting barely fifty men, but those the most daring braves of the
tribe, I left the valley by the eastern entrance, and crossing the
desert, struck southward into the Lipan country. With this tribe we were
at the time at peace, but I cared little for that, and the warriors of
my party were equally unscrupulous. I sent forward a dozen spies, and
moved forward cautiously with the main body. My reputation was committed
to my present success, and I took more than ordinary pains to sustain
it. Every man of my band was well armed and mounted, and I had full
confidence in our ability to overcome double our number. One of the
spies now returned and informed me that they had discovered a Lipan
village of seventeen lodges, situated on the banks of a small stream. I
directed them to return and watch them closely, and to apprise me of
any movement they might make. The spy went back, but soon returned and
informed me that they had moved down the creek