Exploration of the Red River of Louisiana, in the year 1852 / by Randolph B. Marcy ; assisted by George B. McClellan. Page: 96 of 368
xv, 286 p., [65] p. of plates (1 fold.) : ill., maps ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
80
INDIAN THEFTS.
leased the boy quietly, I should reward them; but otherwise I had determined
to take him from them by force, and if compelled to resort to this
course, should give them nothing in return. This appeared to have the
desired effect, and they said if I would make the family into which he
had been adopted a few presents, in addition to what I had promised
them, they would release him. I accordingly distributed the presents,
and took possession of the boy. Upon turning him over to us they
divested him of the few rags of covering that hung about his person,
and reluctantly gave him to us, and he makes his exit from the Witchita
nation in the same costume in which he entered the world. We
soon had him comfortably clothed, and he is much delighted with the
change. Captain McClellan will take him to San Antonio, from which
place he will communicate with his relatives.
July 24.-We left the Witchita village at 4 o'clock this morning,
and intended to have followed the trail which the Indians travel to
Fort Arbuckle, but soon discovered that it crossed numerous brooks
running through deep gullies impassable for wagons, which made it necessary
for us to turn south towards the dividing ridge between Rush
creek and Wild Horse creek. We followed this ridge for seven miles,
and encamped upon a small affluent of Wild Horse creek. In our
march to-day we passed over an elevated, waiving country, interspersed
with groves of oak. Upon each side of the dividing ridge are numerous
small spring branches, flowing off to the right and left, and upon these
there is an abundance of good timber, with soil of the best quality. We
have passed the range of the grama grass, but still find the mezqiite
and other varieties of wild grasses, upon which our animals continue to
thrive, and keep in excellent condition. After we had proceeded some
ten miles upon our march this morning, we discovered that our friends
the Witchitas had, in the characteristic style of their hospitality, abstracted
from one of our wagons several articles which they probably
supposed would be more useful to them than to us. Unfortunately, we
were too far from the village to admit of going back and making them
restore the articles. Our Spanish boy states that before he left, they
advised him to seize the first opportunity that should offer to steal one
of our horses, and make his escape to them.
July 25.-Our wagons were packed, and we were in motion at about
3 o'clock this morning, in a course nearly due east, down the right bank
of Wild Horse creek for eight miles, when we entered the Cross-Timbers
upon the ridge dividing this stream from Mud creek (an affluent of
Red river, which puts in above the Washita.) Our encampment this
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Marcy, Randolph Barnes. Exploration of the Red River of Louisiana, in the year 1852 / by Randolph B. Marcy ; assisted by George B. McClellan., book, 1854; Washington, DC. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6105/m1/96/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .