e camp. They were desperate blackguards,
well known to every one of the soldiers under Captain Hunt, who in spite
of their Indian disguise, identified them immediately. Hunt refused to
punish them, or make any further pursuit, under the plea that he had
received orders to act against Indian depredators, but not against white
men.

"If such is the case," interrupted the Comanche chief; "retire
immediately with thy men, even to-night, or the breeze of evening will
repeat thy words to my young men, who would give a lesson of justice to
the Texians. Away with thee, if thou valuest thy scalp; justice shall
be done by Indians; it is time they should take it into their own hands,
when Pale-faces are afraid of each other."

Captain Hunt was wise enough to retire without replying, and the next
morning the Indians, armed with cords and switches, gave a severe
whipping to the brigands, for having assumed the Comanche paint and
war-whoop. This first part of their punishment being over, their paint
was washed off, and the chief passed them over to us, who were, with the
addition I have mentioned, now eight white inca. "They are too mean,"
said the chief, "to receive a warrior's death; judge them according to
your laws; justice must be done."

It was an awful responsibility; but we judged them according to the laws
of the United States and of Texas: they were condemned to be hung, and
at sunset they were executed. For all I know, their bodies may still
hang from the lower branches of the three large cotton-wood trees upon
the head waters of the Trinity River.

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Note 1. It may appear singular to the reader that the Comanche, being
always at war with the Texians, should not have immediately attacked the
party under the orders of Hunt. But we were merely a hunting-party;
that is to say, our band was composed chiefly of young hunters, not yet
warriors. On such occasions, there is frequently, though not always, an
ancient warrior for every eight hunters just to shew to them the crafts
of Indian mode of hunting. These parties often bring with them their
squaws and children, and never fight but when obliged to do so.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

We remained a few days where we were encamped to repose our horses and
enable them to support the fatigues of our journey through the rugged
and swampy wilderness of North-east Texas. Three days after the
exec