which they received with outward signs
of friendship, though the knowing ones who were on the ground could
see, lurking beneath that stoic appearance which a savage usually
assumes when facing his white brother, that the red men were not
entirely satisfied with past events. However, every means had been
employed to pacify the band, who, on first coming into the council,
had succeeded in showing that they had been greatly outraged and
injured, and that they had sufficient cause for resentment. The
following circumstances will show the truth of this.

Just previous to the holding of this council, one of the warriors who
was much esteemed by his tribe, had been waylaid and murdered by a
small party of Mexicans. The only excuse offered by the latter for
committing this bloody deed was, that they wished to deprive the
warrior of an old coat, which, by some means, had come into his
possession.

The killing of a human being to deprive him of a garment which
was almost worthless, is perfectly characteristic of the depravity
exhibited by the lower classes of Mexicans. It is a singular fact that
these people love to steal trifling articles, or, sums of money. We
remember two instances where this trait is singularly illustrated. An
American, on one occasion, left on a table, in his log house, a large
sum of money in gold. He sent a Mexican into this room to bring him
something which he wanted, but the man returned saying he could not
find it. The American now went himself to look for the article, and,
while in the house, recounted his money and found one of the smallest
coins missing. He at once called the thief and charged him with the
crime. The Mexican knew this American to be very resolute; when,
therefore, he heard him threaten him with severe and summary
punishment if he did not, at once, produce the money, he knew there
was no escape, and accordingly drew from its hiding-place, on his
person, the missing coin and restored it to its owner. The American,
being used to such every-day occurrences, passed by the affair without
further notice. In the other instance an American was traveling and
had occasion to stop at a Mexican's house during the night. On going
to pay his bill for his lodging in the morning, he noticed that two
pieces of his money had been abstracted while he was sleeping. These
coins had been taken one from either end of his purse. This was what
drew his attention to the fact of his having been robbed. The h