“My name is Frank Burton,” said the older corporal, extending his hand to the Mexican, “and this is my brother, Henry.”

The Mexican boy grasped the proffered hand, and said, “My name is Manuel Perea, of Algodones.”

“We are the sons of the commanding officer at the fort.  Can’t you come and see us next holiday?”

“I should much like to; I will ask the fathers if I may.”

“Come over, and we will try to make your visit pleasant.”

“How well you speak Spanish!  It will be a great pleasure to visit American boys who can speak my language, for I know but few English words.”

“Next Saturday, then?”

“At ten o’clock, if the padres consent.  Good-bye,” and Manuel disappeared into the school-room.

The following Saturday I saw the two corporals and their newly acquired companion at the post and at dinner in the mess-room, and a friendship was then formed which was to continue for many years.

One evening, nearly a month afterwards, I received an order to march my company into the Jemez Mountains to co-operate with other detached commands in a war being carried on against the Navajo Indians.  Just as I had laid aside the order after reading it, Colonel Burton entered, and, taking a seat by my fireside, announced that he had been ordered on detached service to northern Colorado, on a tour of inspection, which would require him to be absent for a considerable period, and that he had been thinking of allowing his sons to accompany me to my camp at Los Valles Grandes.

“The hunting and fishing are fine in those valleys, and Frank and Henry would enjoy life there very much,” he said.  “They have done so well in their studies that they deserve a well-earned recreation.”

“I should much like to have their company, sir,” I replied, “but would it not be exposing them to great danger from the Indians?”

“The officer whom you are to relieve has been in the valleys nearly a year, and he reports that he has not seen a Navajo in all that time.  Of course, it may be your fortune to meet them, but I do not think so.  If you do, then the boys must give a good account of themselves.  In any engagement that involves the whole command they must not forget they are the sons of a soldier.  Still, I do not want them needlessly exposed.  You are quite sure it will give you no trouble to take them?”

“Few things could afford me greater pleasure on such isolated duty, sir.  They will be good company for me.”

“Thank you for your kindness.  The lads will report to you to-morrow morning.  I will see that they are properly fitted out, and will write you now and then during my absence, and as soon as I return to Santa Fe they can be sent back.”

Colonel Burton then took his departure, and I turned to a local history to learn from its pages something of the tribe with which I might be brought in contact.

The home of the Navajos lay between the Rio Grande del Norte on the east, the Rio Colorado on the west, the Rio San Juan on the north, and the Rio Colorado Chiquito on the south, but from time immemorial they had roamed a considerable distance beyond these borders.