s groups around, I saw many sights, both new and
strange to me. A number were engaged in gambling for the various
trinkets they had procured in their successful foray. Their implements
for this pastime were simple enough. Several Indians who sat quite near
me were engaged in this amusement, and by watching them carefully, I was
soon able to understand the game. They sat in a circle, with a heap of
small stones in the center; one of them, grasping a handful of the
pebbles would conceal them behind him, at the same time placing before
him the article which he wished to wager. The player on his right would
then stake against it any article which he deemed of equal value; and if
the leader accepted the bet he would signify it; his opponent had then
to _guess_ the number of pebbles taken by the first Indian; and if his
conjecture was correct, became the possessor of the articles wagered. If
he failed to guess the right number, the holder of the stones was the
winner; then the next savage seized the pebbles, and so it went round
and round the circle, the winners venting their exultation in yells and
laughter, while the losers clearly indicated by grunts, expressive of
disgust, their disappointment when fortune went against them.

Suddenly my attention was attracted by a party of Indians who came forth
from one of the more pretentious lodges. Among them were a number of the
principal warriors including the head chief himself; with them were also
several of the Apaches, who seemed, by their dress and bearing, to be
men of some rank. They were engaged in a very animated discussion,
accompanied with as much gesticulation as if they had been a parcel of
Frenchmen. Directly two of the Camanches re-entered the lodge, and
returned leading three women, white captives. Without a moment's warning
my wife was before me, and I sprang to my feet and ran towards her,
scarcely knowing what I was about. My darling saw me at the same instant
and stretched out her arms as if to clasp me in her embrace, but she was
firmly held in the grasp of one of the savages and could not stir.
Seeing that I would not be permitted to approach her I halted, wondering
what new scene of savage cruelty was about to be enacted. I was not long
in doubt--from the gestures of the Indians, and the exhibition of some
gaudy ornaments by one of the Apaches, I was convinced that a barter or
trade of some sort was in progress, and a few moments sufficed to
satisfy me that m