At that rate of profit they could afford the time and expense
of driving their herds of sheep to market at Los Angeles, even though
the Apaches of Arizona took their toll and fattened on stolen mutton.
CHAPTER VI. INDIAN LORE. THE WILY NAVAJO
The principal source of the money supply was the United States
Government, which maintained many forts and army posts in the
Territories as a safeguard against the Apache and Navajo Indians.
During the Civil War, the Navajo Indians broke out and raided the
Mexican settlements along the Rio Grande and committed many outrages
and thefts. The Government gave these Indians the surprise of their
lives. An army detachment of United States California volunteers
swooped suddenly down on the Navajos and surprised and conquered them
in the strongholds of their own country. The whole tribe was forced
to surrender, was disarmed, and transported to Fort Stanton by the
Government.
This military reservation lies on the eastern boundary of New Mexico,
on the edge of the staked plains of Texas. Here the Navajos were kept
in mortal terror of their hereditary enemies, the Comanche Indians,
for several years, and they were so thoroughly cowed and subdued by
this stratagem that they were good and peacable ever after.
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