162 TALL INDIANS.: enemy put on the alert by the noise, but the smoke, made a target for them to aim at. If you remember the Spaniards had quite an advantage over our boys, because they used smokeless powder. That new explosive very soon superseded the old,black stuff. But what of the physique of our Quivirans? Here is what the General said in a letter written to the Klhg, October 20, 1541: "The people here are large. I had several Indians measured and found that they were ten palms in height, ( 6 1-2 feet )." . Quite numerous were the men and boys who came to satisfy their curiosity and most were given some article which was highly prized. The com- mander had Ysopete translate to several Indians a message which he wished carried to Chief Tatarrax, who resided about twenty miles distant, two miles from the present location of Manhattan, on the Blue river. These men set out to bring back an answer of friendship, a present of colored cloth and a cheap brass jewel, being sent as a token showing good will. It did not take long for a reply from the chief of the city of Harahey to reach the party, he having been kept posted continually by runners, relative to the attitude of strangers. While encamped at this place some of the men went hunting and lost their wacr, for it was like being on the trackless ocean if one got away from the water course, and it is recorded that one of the party was. lost entirely and was never heard of, and that two horses with their saddles and bridles* strayed away and were never seen'a^ain. The messengers returned, ■ bringing presents of roasting ears which was just ready to eat, and with
