the road in a hurry and traveled until a late hour that
night. In fact, we did not stop until the cattle were exhausted.

Hardly had we prepared our camp and were sitting around our fire, when
a horde of Indians appeared, clamoring for whiskey. As they were armed
and threatening, Don Juan became so terrified that he climbed to the
interior of a wagon to comply with the demand of the savages. When I
saw this, I drew my rifle from its place under my bedding and placed it
in readiness. Plainly I saw Don Juan come out of the wagon with the
mischievous stone jug, as this happened in the bright light of our camp
fire. That will never do, thought I, and quickly drawing my revolver, I
persuaded the Don to drop the jug, incidentally smashing it with a 44
caliber bullet, taking care not to hurt anybody; and this was easily
done, as the jug was a large one, it held three gallons.
Instantaneously I grabbed my Winchester, and with my back against a
wagon stood ready for action. The Indians uttered a howl of
disappointment when they saw the jug collapse and its precious contents
wasted, but were silenced by an exclamation of their chief. After an
excited pow-wow between themselves, they disappeared among the hills in
the shadows of the night.

"Muchas gracias, senor Americana," said Don Juan, "quien sabe?" What
would have happened if the Indians had gotten the liquor, which I dared
not refuse them; but I think this ends our troubles. We passed a
sleepless night, and long before sunrise Don Juan made preparations for
our departure.

When the herders rounded up the cattle, they found that several yoke of
oxen were missing, and greatly alarmed, they said that they believed
the Indians had stolen them during the night. Don Juan did not appear
to be very anxious to search for the missing cattle himself, so he sent
out the herders again after breakfast. They returned with the report of
having found the tracks of Indians who had apparently driven the cattle
toward the hills, and stated that they were afraid to follow, fearing
for their lives.

As it was nearly noon by this time, we cooked our dinner, and while
doing so were visited again by a number of the Indians. Don Juan
intimated to them that several of his oxen had strayed off during the
night, and the Navajos kindly offered to go in search of them for a
remuneration. They demanded a stack of tortillas a foot high and a sack
of flour. Nolens-volens, squatted Don Mestal before the