[Illustration:  FORT MASSACHUSETTS, NEW MEXICO, IN 1855.]

While engaged in our travels through the far West, we remember to have met with an Indian agent who was, both in years and experience, but a mere boy.  To him had been intrusted the affairs of a large tribe, notorious in the country where they reside, as being great thieves.  These Indians had so little respect for their agent, that they would openly boast of the crimes which they had committed, in his very presence.  Not only this, but, on horses stolen from the neighboring settlers, they would ride by him, thus defying his power.  The settlers were loud in their complaints against the Government for thus neglecting to protect them, and sending them a block of wood for a king.  The young man of whom we speak, bore an exemplary character, but it was plainly and painfully apparent, that he was, in no way whatever, fitted for the office he held, and which he had attained through the influence of powerful political friends.  This is but a fair example by which many of the so-called Indian agents may be rated, who are the actual managers of Indian affairs on our frontiers.

The Utahs and the Apaches, having now openly combined, met with such success in their endeavors to attack the whites, that, during the course of a few months, they overran almost the entire northern part of the territory of New Mexico.  They utterly defied the power of the American Government; and, whenever the opportunity offered, boasted to the Mexicans “that they no longer stood in fear of the white man.”  The subsequent cruel and barbarous crimes of which they were guilty, clearly demonstrated that they had become greatly elated by their success.  It soon became apparent that, unless checked, they would exterminate the population and burn or otherwise destroy their settlements.

At this time, it was only by running great risk, that the whites could leave their towns and go to the neighboring mountains, for the purpose of obtaining even a little firewood.  Working parties were daily surprised and murdered; women and children were carried into bondage, and reserved for a worse fate, and all kinds of business were receiving a check, which was becoming ruinous to the country.  It was even greatly feared, that the boldness of the savages would carry them so far as to make them attack Fort Massachusetts.  To give them a warm reception, should they dare undertake that enterprise, the post was strengthened, by cutting down and removing everything which might, in the least, tend to aid the Indians, and give them a cover which they so much like when fighting; all the trees and brush about the post were cut away.  Breastworks were thrown up on the block-house attached to the fort, so that the soldiers could be well protected in case of emergency.  In these, sentinels were posted, and the strength of the guard doubled and greater vigilance exacted.  Haystacks were removed to a safe place, for fear they would be fired by the