entered into the confederation, but the Comanches were too far distant
for us to have had an opportunity of making the proposal to them. As
this union was always uppermost in my mind, I resolved that I would now
visit the Comanches, with a view to the furtherance of my object.

The country on the east side of the Rio Grande is one dreary desert, in
which no water is to be procured. I believe no Indian has ever done more
than skirt its border; indeed, as they assert that it is inhabited by
spirits and demons, it is clear that they cannot have visited it.

To proceed to the Comanches country it was therefore necessary that we
should follow the Rio Grande till we came to the Presidio of Rio Grande,
belonging to the Mexicans, and from there cross over and take the road
to San Antonio de Bejar, the last western city of Texas, and proceed
through the Texan country to where the Comanches were located. I
therefore decided that we would join the band of Apaches who were
proceeding towards Texas.

During this excursion, the Apaches had captured many horses and arms
from a trading party which they had surprised near Chihuahua, and, with
their accustomed liberality, they furnished us with steeds, saddles,
arms, blankets, and clothes; indeed, they were so generous that we could
easily pass ourselves off as merchants returning from a trading
expedition in case we were to fall in with any Mexicans, and have to
undergo an examination.

We took our leave of the generous Apache chiefs, who were returning
homewards. Joachem Texada and Louis Ortiz were, with the rest of the
escort, led away as captives, and what became of them I cannot say. We
travelled with the other band of Indians, until we had passed the