they once had."

"That is in general a truth; and true of the Maricopas. There was a
time when they possessed gold in large quantities, and pearls too,
gathered from the depths of the Vermilion Sea. It is gone. The Jesuit
padres could tell whither."

"But this man? El Sol?"

"He is a chief. He has not lost all his gold. He still holds enough to
serve him, and it is not likely that the padres will coax it from him
for either beads or vermilion. No; he has seen the world, and has
learnt the all-pervading value of that shining metal."

"But his sister?--is she, too, educated?"

"No. Poor Luna is still a savage; but he instructs her in many things.
He has been absent for several years. He has returned but lately to his
tribe."

"Their names are strange: `The Sun,' `The Moon'!"

"They were given by the Spaniards of Sonora; but they are only
translations or synonyms of their Indian appellations. That is common
upon the frontier."

"Why are they here?"

I put this question with hesitation, as I knew there might be some
peculiar history connected with the answer.

"Partly," replied Seguin, "from gratitude, I believe, to myself. I
rescued El Sol when a boy out of the hands of the Navajoes. Perhaps
there is still another reason. But come," continued he, apparently
wishing to give a turn to the conversation, "you shall know our Indian
friends. You are to be companions for a time. He is a scholar, and
will interest you. Take care of your heart with the gentle Luna.
Vincente, go to the tent of the Coco chief. Ask him to come and drink a
cup of Paso wine. Tell him to bring his sister with him."

The servant hurried away through the camp. While he was gone, we
conversed about the feat which the Coco had performed with his rifle.

"I never knew him to fire," remarked Seguin, "without hitting his mark.
There is something mysterious about that. His aim is unerring; and it
seems to be on his part an act of pure volition. There may be some
guiding principle in the mind, independent of either strength of nerve
or sharpness of sight. He and another are the only persons I ever knew
to possess this singular power."

The last part of this speech was uttered in a half soliloquy; and
Seguin, after delivering it, remained for some moments silent and
abstracted.

Before the conversation was resumed, El Sol and his sister entered the
tent, and Seguin introduced us to each other. In a few moments we were
enga