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Show FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. 323 hundred Pimas who were settled about five miles from us, that we had no particular control over, they having settled there before our arrival. I, in common with others, was much annoyed by their cattle, but desiring peace I studied how to out-general these cattle. I had also studied very hard to get an insight into the Indian character and ways, and was on the watch for an opportunity. The old chief whom I had baptized had some twenty head of work cattle belonging to his family and particular friends. They had come onto my fields several times. The old man always said it was his boy's fault, and seemed to regret it, sometimes paying a few sacks of wheat for damages. I told him that paying damages was a bad thing. It was loss to him and no gain to me, that I wanted the cattle kept off. Finally an idea struck me. The cattle had damaged my crops a number of times. One day when I found them in my field I sent them to the chief with word that if they got on my field three times more that they would be mine, and that I would put my brand on them. Soon the old man came over to see me, bringing a good interpreter. Said he : " I do not understand what you say about branding my cattle." Here I took a memorandum book from my pocket and commenced figuring. I explained to him that the cattle had been on my field and damaged me to an amount almost as much as the cattle were worth, and that three times more damaging would pay for the cattle when I would have a right to put my brand on them, having paid their full value. I talked pleasantly and kindly, admitting that he was a good man and wanted to do right, but his boys were |
