The Division of Two Tribes

By Charles M. Skinner

The vast American West, before the encroachment of European settlers, was a tapestry woven with the intricate lives and histories of numerous Native American tribes. Among these, the Shoshone and Comanche were prominent, their destinies often intertwined yet marked by periods of conflict. A compelling narrative, rooted in the very landscape of the region, speaks to the origins of their discord, placing its genesis at the springs of Manitou. This tale, steeped in folklore and passed down through generations, offers a glimpse into the complex relationships and cultural values that shaped the early American West. The springs of Manitou, a place of natural beauty and spiritual significance, became the unexpected stage for a fateful encounter that would forever alter the course of these two tribes.

Manitou Springs, often referred to as the "Saratoga of the West," is nestled within a picturesque hollow at the base of the majestic Pikes Peak. This location served as a common gathering place for various Native American families. In times past, these springs were considered neutral ground, a sanctuary where councils could be held without fear of violence. This sense of security stemmed from the belief that the Manitou, powerful spirits whose essence was embodied in the bubbling "medicine waters," would swiftly punish any act of aggression or disrespect. However, even the most sacred of places could not entirely escape the shadow of human frailty and the seeds of conflict. The following is the story of how The Division of Two Tribes began.

For generations, a Shoshone and a Comanche warrior had maintained a tradition of stopping at these springs on their return from hunting expeditions. They would pause to quench their thirst and pay homage to the spirits of the land. On one particular occasion, however, the dynamic between the two men was fraught with tension. The Shoshone hunter had enjoyed a successful hunt, his shoulders laden with a fat deer, a testament to his skill and fortune. In contrast, the Comanche warrior returned empty-handed, his spirit burdened by disappointment and simmering resentment.

Driven by envy, the Comanche needed little provocation to ignite a quarrel. As the Shoshone, following custom, carefully placed his prize on the ground and approached the spring, he offered a handful of water as a libation to the Manitou, a gesture of respect and gratitude. Only then did he lower his head to drink from the cool, clear waters.

The Comanche, seizing the opportunity, challenged the Shoshone’s actions. "Why does a stranger drink the water at the spring so that his children may drink it undefiled?" he demanded. "I am Ausaqua, chief of the Shoshone, and I drink at the head-water. Shoshone and Comanche are brothers. Let them drink together." His words carried a veiled accusation, suggesting that the Shoshone was acting with undue privilege and disrespect towards his supposed brother.

The Comanche warrior, fueled by jealousy and a desire for dominance, retorted, "No. The Shoshone pays tribute to the Comanche, and Wacomish leads that nation to war. He is chief of the Shoshone as he is of his own people." He asserted a position of superiority, claiming that the Shoshone were subservient to the Comanche and therefore obligated to defer to his authority.

Ausaqua, the Shoshone, refused to accept this claim of dominance. "Wacomish lies," he declared. "His tongue is forked, like the snake. His heart is black. When the Great Spirit made his children, he said not to one, ‘Drink here,’ and to another, ‘Drink there,’ but gave water that all might drink." Ausaqua’s words were a powerful condemnation of Wacomish’s deceitfulness and a reaffirmation of the inherent equality of all people before the Great Spirit. The water, a gift from the creator, was meant for all, regardless of tribal affiliation or perceived status. This moment captures the beginning of The Division of Two Tribes.

Wacomish, the Comanche, did not respond to Ausaqua’s challenge with words. Instead, he chose a path of violence and treachery. As Ausaqua bent to drink, Wacomish crept behind him, seized him, and forced his head beneath the water, holding him there until he drowned. The act was a brutal assertion of power, a stark rejection of the principles of brotherhood and shared respect.

As Wacomish pulled the lifeless body of Ausaqua from the spring, the water became turbulent, and a vapor began to rise from the surface. Slowly, the vapor coalesced into the form of a venerable Indian, an elder with long white hair. Wacomish, horrified, recognized the apparition as Waukauga, the revered father of both the Shoshone and Comanche nations, a man whose heroism and goodness had earned him the respect of both tribes.

The face of Waukauga was contorted with rage. In a voice that echoed with the power of the Manitou, he thundered, "Accursed of my race! This day, thou hast severed the mightiest nation in the world. The blood of the brave Shoshone appeals for vengeance. May the water of thy tribe be rank and bitter in their throats." His words were a curse, a pronouncement of doom upon the Comanche tribe, forever tainted by Wacomish’s heinous act. The springs of Manitou, once a symbol of unity, had now become a testament to the tragic consequences of hatred and betrayal. The Division of Two Tribes was now a reality.

Waukauga then raised an elk-horn club and struck Wacomish on the head, crushing his skull. The murderer fell lifelessly into the spring, forever polluting its waters. From that day forward, that spring became known for its foul and undrinkable water, a constant reminder of Wacomish’s treachery. In contrast, the Manitou, in their grief and anger, struck a nearby rock, and from it gushed a fountain of pure, delicious water, a memorial to Ausaqua’s bravery and integrity.

The bodies of the two warriors were eventually discovered, and the story of their conflict spread like wildfire among their respective tribes. The partisans of both Ausaqua and Wacomish, fueled by vengeance and tribal loyalty, embarked on a long and devastating war. This conflict, born from a single act of violence at the springs of Manitou, would engulf other tribes and ultimately pit mountaineers against plainsmen across the region. The legend of The Division of Two Tribes serves as a reminder of the enduring consequences of hatred and the fragility of peace. The story of The Division of Two Tribes is one that highlights the dangers of jealousy.
The Springs of Manitou now stand as a silent monument of The Division of Two Tribes.

By Charles Skinner, 1896. Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2025.

Also See:

• Native American Mythology & Legends
• The Shoshone – Continuing the Traditions of Their Ancestors
• The Comanche – Horseman of the Plains
• Native American Photo Galleries

About the Author: Charles M. Skinner (1852-1907) authored the complete nine-volume set of Myths and Legends of Our Own Land in 1896. This tale is excerpted from these excellent works now in the public domain.