urn a Comanche village; but with the
Tejanos are not the Comanches at war? And we have seen Tejanos near the
trail. We have seen where they defeated Armijo's soldiers, almost within
sight of the Arkansas River. Cannot White Buffalo read the signs on the
earth? Our trail is plain for many days to the east, for all to see. Has
he seen our wagon tracks to the Washita? Are his young men blind? We are
many and strong and have thunder guns, but we do not fight except to
protect ourselves and our goods. We are traders."

"We are warriors!" exclaimed the chief. "We also are many and strong,
and our lances are short that our courage may be long. White Buffalo has
listened. He believes that the white chief speaks with a single tongue.
His warriors want the white man's guns and powder; medicine guns that
shoot like the clapping of hands. Such have the Tejanos. He has skins
and meat and _mulos_."

"The medicine guns are Tejano medicine," replied Woodson. "We have only
such as I see in the hands of some of our friends, the Comanches. Powder
and lead we have little, for we have come far and killed much game; blue
and red cloth we have, medicine glasses, beads, awls, knives, tobacco,
and firewater we have much of. Our mules are strong and we need no
more." He looked shrewdly at a much-bedecked Indian at the chief's side.
"We have presents for the Comanche Medicine Man that only his eyes may
see."

The medicine man's face did not change a muscle but there came a gleam
to his eyes that Woodson noted.

"The Comanches are not like the Pawnees or Cheyennes to kill their eyes
and ears with firewater," retorted the chief. "We are not Pawnee dogs
that we must hide from ourselves and see things that are not. Our hair
is long, that those may take it who can. I have spoken."

There was some further talk in which was arranged a visit from the
Comanche chief; the bartering price of mules, skins, and meat, as was
the custom of this tribe; a long-winded exchange of compliments and
assurances of love and good will, in the latter both sides making plenty
of reservations.

When Woodson and his companions returned to the encampment they went
among the members of the caravan with explicit instructions, hoping by
the use of tact and common sense to avert friction with their expected
visitors. Small articles were put away and the wagon covers tightly
drawn to minimize the opportunities of the Indians for theft.

The night passed quietly and the dou