tie to this mesquite tree.  Now you may go, and may the saints deliver you from your evil passion and folly.  Mind you, senores, I claim an equal share with you in whatever gold you may find.  If any one objects, let him come forth and say so now, man to man.  I shall hold the trail for those among you who would haply choose to return.  Forsooth, companions, I like not the actions of this Indian.  Beware the Apache, senores; remember we are in the Tonto’s own country!’

“From my position I witnessed the exciting race to the banks of the stream, and saw plainly how eagerly my companions worked with pick and pan.  Hard they worked, but not long, for soon they assembled in the shade of a tree, and after a conference I saw them make the usual preparations for camping.  Several men looked after the wants of the horses, others built fires, and four of the party returned toward me.  ‘What luck, Companeros!’ I hailed them when they came within hearing distance.  ‘Senor Capitan, we have come for the Indian,’ said the spokesman of the squad.  ‘And what use have you for the Indian?’ I asked.  ‘We shall hang him to yonder tree,’ they said, ’as a warning to liars and impostors.’  Bueno, Caballeros, he deserves it.  I deliver him into your hands under this condition, that you grant him a fair trial, as becomes men who being good Catholics and sure of the salvation of their souls may not, without just cause, consign a heathen to the everlasting fires of perdition.’

“Silently, stoically, the Indian suffered himself to be led to the place of his execution.  After the enraged Mexicans had placed him under a tree with the noose of a riata around his neck, they informed him that he might now plead in the defense of his life if he had anything to say.  ‘Mexicans,’ said the Navajo, ’I fear not death!  If I must die, let it be by a bullet.  I call the great Spirit, who knows the hearts of his people, to witness that I beg not for my life.  I have not a split tongue nor am I an impostor.  I have guided you to the place of gold.  I have kept my promise.  You Mexicans came with evil hearts.  You fought your own brothers.  You abandoned your sick companions on the trail to the coyote.  You have broken the law of hospitality toward me, your guest, as no Spaniard has ever done before.  Therefore, has your God punished you.  He has changed the good gold of these waters to shimmering mica and shining dross.  Fool gold He gives to fools!  As you serve me now, so shall the Apaches do to you.  Never more shall you taste of the waters of the Rio Grande, so says the Spirit in my heart!’

“The Indian’s dignified bearing and his inspired words on the threshold of eternity moved my conscience and caused a feeling of respect and pity for him in my breast as well as in others of our party.  When Juan de Dios Carasco, who was known and despised by all for being a good-for-nothing thieving coward, drew his gun to shoot the Navajo in the back, I could not control my anger.  ‘Stop,’ I shouted, ’you miserable hen thief, or you die at my hands, and now.  This Indian should die, but not in such a manner.  Senores, you have made me your capitan.  Now I shall enforce my orders at the risk of my life’s blood.  Give that Indian a knife and fair play in a combat against the prowess of the valiant Don Juan de Dios Carasco.’