he five Americans who had left Captain Hunt to join
us. He suspected them to be rascals or traitors, or they would not have
joined the Indians. He, the great general, wished to investigate closely
into the matter, and so the Comanches had better think quick about it,
for he was in a hurry.

I should here add, that the five Americans, though half-ruined by the
thefts of the Texans, had yet with them four or five hundred dollars in
good bank-notes, besides which each had a gold watch, well-furnished
saddle-bags, a good saddle, and an excellent travelling horse.

The chief answered him: "Now I can answer, for I have heard words having
a meaning, although I know them to be great lies. I say first, thou
shalt not have the prisoners who murdered those of thine own colour, for
they are hung yonder upon the tall trees, and there they shall remain
till the vultures and the crows have picked their flesh.

"I say, secondly, that the three young Pale-faces are here and will
answer for themselves, if they will or will not follow thee; but I see
thy tongue can utter big lies; for I know they have never mixed with the
Pale-faces of the south. As to the five Yankees, we cannot give them
back to thee, because we can give back only what we have taken. They are
now our guests, and, in our hospitality, they are secure till they leave
us of their own accord. I have said!"

Scarcely were these words finished, when the general and his four
followers found themselves surrounded by twenty Comanches, who conducted
them back to the stream in rather an abrupt manner. The greatest officer
of the land swore revenge, but as his guides did not understand him, he
was lucky enough to reserve his tongue for more lies and more swearing
at a more fitting time.

He soon rejoined his men, and fell back with them about a mile,
apparently to prepare for an attack upon our encampment. In the evening,
Roche and some five or six Indians passed the stream a few miles below,
that they might observe what the Texans were about; but unfortunately
they met with a party of ten of the enemy hunting, and Roche fell
heavily under his horse, which was killed by a rifle-shot. One of the
Comanches immediately jumped from his horse, rescued Roche from his
dangerous position, and, notwithstanding that the Texans were at that
instant charging, he helped Roche to his own saddle and bade him fly.
Roche was too much stupefied by his fall that he could not reflect, or
otherwise