nce heard him
address a large council of his warriors, and, although we could not
understand one word he said, yet our attention was fixed on the man,
for we never saw either before or since such majestic gestures, mixed
with equal grace, in any speaker. It was a master-piece of acting,
and from the "humphs," or grunts, ejaculated by his auditors, we were
inclined to think that the speech was impressive. There is one great
point about this chief which those who are familiar with the Indian
race, as they now exist, cannot but admire. He has never been known
to beg; rather than do this, we believe, he would actually starve. We
will finish this description of Yellow Bear by adding that he
finally listened to the advice of the then commanding officer of Fort
Massachusetts, and returned to his own nation.

On the final arrival at Taos of the troops engaged in this brilliant
Indian campaign against the Utahs and Apaches, they received orders
to disband. Those whose calling was arms, returned to their respective
military posts, while the New Mexicans scattered to seek their homes,
where they were received and justly treated as heroes. Before the
forces were dispersed, the Pueblo Indians, who had been employed in
the spy companies, gave, with the aid of their friends, by moonlight,
a grand war-dance entertainment in the plaza of the town. It proved a
fine display of this time-honored Indian custom.

The combined efforts of the two commanders, Colonel Fauntleroy and
Lieutenant-Colonel St. Vrain, aided by their followers, among whom Kit
Carson played a most conspicuous and important part, had the effect to
compel the Indians to send a delegate to Santa Fe, commissioned to sue
for peace. Peace was finally granted, which formed a most happy and
pleasing termination to this brilliant Indian campaign.

It proved afterwards that a great mistake was made in hastily allowing
these Indians to evade the punishment they so richly deserved, and
which was being so summarily inflicted, by entertaining so soon
conciliatory measures. At the council that was subsequently held, it
was found that only a part of the Apaches were present to sanction the
proceedings, and that the remainder were still in the mountains and
were either hostile or undecided what course they would pursue. Kit
Carson, their agent, was at the meeting, and earnestly opposed the
policy of making a treaty so long as any portion of the two nations
were insubordinate, as it o