prey for
these Indians, who are as full of tricks as the ocean is of water.

Then Chief Manuelito, who was highly elated with his victory over the
Mexican, challenged me to a game in a very overbearing and provoking
manner. I replied that I despised the game of monte, which was perhaps
good enough for Mexicans and Indians, but was decided by chance; I
boasted that I was ready to bet anything I had on my skill at shooting
with the rifle, and challenged him and his whole tribe to the sport
which was worthy of men, a shooting match. I think Manuelito would have
accepted my challenge without hesitation and in great glee if he had
not been restrained by the Indian whom I have mentioned before as
having just arrived and recognized me. This Indian said something to
the chief, which seemed to interest and excite them all. Chief
Manuelito advanced, and extending his hand in greeting, said that he
had often wished to meet me, the wizard who had beaten the champion
marksman of the Navajo tribe.

Several years before I had in the town of Cubero, at the request of
Mexican friends, shot a target match with the most renowned marksman of
the Navajo tribe, my pistol being pitted against the Navajo's rifle,
and had beaten him with a wonderful shot to the discomfiture and
distress of a trading band of Indians, who bet on their champion's
prowess and lost their goods to the knowing Mexicans.

The chief then requested me to favor them with an exhibition of my
skill. I readily assented and directed them to put up a target. They
placed a flat rock against the trunk of a pine tree at so great a
distance that it was barely distinguishable to the naked eye. I guessed
the distance and my shot fell just below the mark. Then I raised the
hind sight of my Winchester a notch and the next shot shattered the
stone to pieces. At this the Indians went wild. They had thought it
impossible for any man to perform this feat of marksmanship, and were
most enthusiastic in the profession of their admiration. Gladly would
they have adopted me into their tribe as a great chief or medicine man
had I wished to ally myself to them. There was the opportunity of a
lifetime, but I did not embrace it.

As the sun was now low in the heavens, I advised Don Juan to remain in
camp for the night and spoke to Chief Manuelito, expressing my wish to
pass through his country unmolested and without delay. The chief
assured me of his protection and bade us have no care. We sle