Wild Life in the Far West: Being the Personal Adventures of a Border Mountain Man. Captain James Hobbs
RECAPTURED ANIMALS CLAIMED. 97
The matter had been under discussion three or four days, when one day the Mexican boys who had charge of our animals, came in and reported that there were Mexicans at the pasture claiming the horses and mules we had taken from the Apaches. Kirker went and had a conference with the governor, reminding him of the contract that we were to have all we could take from the Indians, besides fifty dollars a scalp. He found several parties of Mexicans talking to the gov- ernor, with their branding-irons in their hands, and saying it was their property, and they had a right to take it wherever they could find it.
"Governor," said Kirker, "you knew, when you made this written agreement, that animals recaptured by us from the Indians, were liable to be claimed by various owners, but you promised it should be ours. Otherwise what pay do we get for risking our lives in recovering mules, &c. If your government is so weak and rotten that you can't sustain yourselves, and keep your promises, then let us know it."
"It is their property," replied the governor, "and the law gives it to them; therefore, they can take it, though I am sorry that any of the animals should be claimed, after your party have done so nobly."
Kirker returned and reported what had taken place at the palace. Spiebuck immediately commenced arming his Indians, saying he would just as lief scalp the governor of Chihuahua as anybody else. We asked Spiebuck what it was best to do in the matter. He said he was going out to take charge of the ani- mals, and if any one claimed the property he would suffer for his interference. He went to the pasture, and found a Mexican riding around among the mules, looking at them. Riding up to him, Spiebuck struck
7
98 SPIEBUCK IN WAR-PAINT.
him on the back of the head with the flat side of his tomahawk, knocking him off his horse. Alter the Mexican got up, he told him to leave; if he ever caught him there again he would scalp him. The Mexican left in a hurry.
Then Spiebuck went to the Mexicans who had been furnished with orders to take away their animals. He ordered them all to leave instantly, or his Shawnee warriors would show them no mercy. They left at once, and reported to the governor that Spiebuck and party were dangerous fellows; had called them thieves, and ordered them to leave the place.
Learning that the governor had taken sides against us in behalf of these pretended owners of the stock, our whole party became infuriated, as they saw six or eight hundred soldiers collecting, by order of the gov- ernor, at the barracks near the palace. Spiebuck put a strong guard over the animals, then went to the Bull Pen, put on his feather cap, painted his face, took a large drink of whisky, and started for the governor; with Kirker and myself, besides a number of his Shawnees, following after him to prevent any collision, or open rupture.
He rode straight to the governor's door, passing through a file of soldiers, who vainly tried to stop him. The sergeant of the guard said the governor was busily occupied, and could not be seen. Kirker and Spiebuck insisted on going in, and soon the door was open for them to enter. The governor promised that none of the animals should be taken away at present; but said he understood that Spiebuck had knocked a man off his horse, and advised him to be less violent. Spiebuck was a little better satisfied, and we all re- turned to the Bull Pen, for a consultation. He sent
DIVISION OF PROPERTY. 99
down instructions to the guard over the mules, to shoot the first Mexican that came skulking around after the animals.
"Mr. Kirker," said he, the morning after these oc- currences, "if you want to stay in such a country as this is, you can do so, but I am going to take my por- tion of the animals, and leave. To-morrow or next day the governor will come down on us with six or eight hundred troops, and then we can't do anything but submit to his infamous treachery."
Kirker insisted on his staying, saying that even if we lost a portion of the animals, our organization should be kept up. It would be advantageous in the end, and a large additional force could be speedily got together to go with us and work the mines we had discovered; but it was useless to argue the case with Spiebuck, for nothing but a separation would satisfy him. The whole force was therefore called together, and a fair division made of the property.
I told Kirker I would take my share of the animals with Spiebuck, and the Shawnees took charge of their portion, as well as mine. Having concluded to go along with Spiebuck's party, I was soon packed up, saddled, and ready for a start for New Mexico; our party now numbering only about seventy men.
The whole city was aware of our departure, but no attempt was made to detain us, or to get possession of our stock; probably for prudential reasons, for they knew we would fight for them. We afterwards learn- ed that they took most of the ponies and mules that remained with the other party.
As we rode out of the place, bidding good bye to Kirker and all our friends who remained, Spiebuck remarked to Kirker that he had but one regret on
100 OLD FRIENDS.
leaving Chihuahua, and that was that he had not the governor's scalp to carry along with him.
We traveled fast, and reached Santa Fe in eighteen days, where we stopped a week to recruit our animals. I sold to a party of traders there, all of my animals, except the two mules presented me by "Wolf" and the horse given me by my wife. These were prized by me as keepsakes, and I had taken the best care of them, and money could not buy them. The others brought me about $2500.
In Santa Fe I had the great pleasure of meeting my friend John Batiste. I inquired after Kit Carson and Peg-leg Smith. He told me they were probably at Bent's Fort. This was in the year 1843, and as over three years had elapsed since I was at the fort, I felt quite anxious to see our old friends, the trappers, and as John was staying in Santa Fe for a few days only, on business for Bent, and would return soon to the fort, we agreed to make the trip together.
CHAPTER VI.
AFTER spending a week very pleasantly at Santa Fe,—for we found many old friends there,—Spie- buck concluded to go to Bent's Fort, with John Batiste and me, taking along with him most of his Shawnees. Thinking it best for me to revisit my Indian home among the Comanches, as soon as I had stayed a while at the fort, I laid in a stock of presents for my wife and child, father-in-law, and others in the tribe. I then informed Spiebuck and Batiste that I was ready to start the next morning for the fort, and would advise that we go by way of Taos mountain, which was agreed to.
On our way over the mountain, at a place called the Moro, the Mexicans stole in the night some eight or ten of Spiebuck's animals. There were four of the thieves, and we tracked them, killing two, the other two escap- ing in the mountains, but the animals we recovered. After four days' travel, we arrived at Bent's Fort, where we were received with many demonstrations of joy. Bent and Savery purchased all the mules that Spiebuck and his friends could spare, at good prices, —about seventy-five dollars a head. The Shawnees were delighted to receive so much gold for their ani- mals, and, before they got away from the fort, some of it was spent for choice brandies, wines, whiskies, &c. They intended to make a short stop only at the fort, as they were on their way to their old homes, on the Shawnee reservation, near Westport, Mo. However,
102 START FOR THE COMANCHES.
they stayed here several days, feasting and carousing. Bent was fitting up a large train, to take over forty thousand dollars' worth of furs to Independence, Mo., thence to be shipped on steamboats to St. Louis. I was requested to take charge of the train. I told him of my plan to see my old Comanche friends, and visit my wife and child; therefore I could not accommodate him. Finally, Mr. Savery decided to go himself with the train, and they engaged Spiebuck and his band to escort the train till it was out of danger.
When the train was ready, it consisted of twenty-four ten-mule teams, loaded with furs and provisions. I went with them to the crossing of the Big Arkansas river, some four days' travel, and on