ed to be on the lookout ever for an
opportunity to escape, but I did not give him the chance. Our horses
suffered and were well-nigh exhausted when we finally sighted the
coveted stream from a spur of the Mogollon range which we were then
descending. The stream glistened and shone like gold in the distance,
under the hot rays of a noonday sun and my companions would have made a
dash for the coveted goal if their horses had not been utterly
exhausted and footsore. As it was, I had the greatest trouble to calm
them. Arriving at the last and steepest declivity of the trail, I
succeeded in halting the party long enough to listen to my words.
'Companions,' I said, 'hear me before you rush on! I shall stay here
with this Indian, whom you will first 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