ith a
band of Wakoes Indians, another subdivision of the Comanches or of the
Apaches, and not yet seen or even mentioned by any traveller. They were
all mounted upon fine tall horses, evidently a short time before
purchased at the Mexican settlements, for some of them had their shoes
still on their feet. They immediately offered us food and water, and
gave us fresh steeds, for our own were quite broken down, and could
scarcely drag themselves along. We encamped with them that day on a
beautiful spot, where our poor animals recovered a little. We bled them
freely, an operation which probably saved them to share with us many
more toils and dangers.

The next day we arrived at the Wakoe village, pleasantly-situated upon
the banks of a cold and clear stream, which glided through a romantic
valley, studded here and there with trees just sufficient to vary the
landscape, without concealing its beauties. All around the village were
vast fields of Indian corn and melons; further off numerous herds of
cattle, sheep, and horses were grazing; while the women were busy drying
buffalo meat. In this hospitable village we remained ten days, by which
time we and our beasts had entirely recovered from our fatigues.

This tribe is certainly far superior in civilization and comforts to all
other tribes of Indians, the Shoshones not excepted. The Wakoe wigwams
are well built, forming long streets, admirable for their cleanness and
regularity. They are made of long posts, neatly squared, firmly fixed
into the ground, and covered over with tanned buffalo-hides, the roof
being formed of white straw, plaited much finer than the common summer
hats of Boston manufacture. These dwellings are of a conical form,
thirty feet in height and fifteen in diameter. Above the partition-walls
of the principal room are two rows of beds, neatly arranged, as on board
of packet-ships. The whole of their establishment, in fact, proves that
they not only live at ease, but also enjoy a high degree of comfort
and luxury.

Attached to every wigwam is another dwelling of less dimensions, the
lower part of which is used as a provision-store. Here is always to be
found a great quantity of pumpkins, melons, dried peaches, grapes, and
plums, cured vension, and buffalo tongues. Round the store is a kind of
balcony, leading to a small room above it. What it contained I know not,
though I suspect it is consecrated to the rites of the Wakoe religion.
Kind and hospitable a