region. These men
had known Don Rafael, at Santa Fe, where he had at one time resided, and
they had accordingly been made welcome at the hacienda.

"Two of their number, while out on a hunt at a few miles distance, had
crossed our trail, for I had led my party as near to the hacienda as I
dared; and, having concealed ourselves in a dense chaparral, we were
waiting for night, it being my intention to attack in the darkness, when
the smallness of my force could not be easily discovered. Scenting
danger at once, the hunters returned by a circuitous route to the
hacienda, and warned its occupants. As a natural consequence, when we
made our assault some hours later, they were fully prepared for us, and
instead of surprising them we were ourselves surprised and greeted with
a withering volley from the rifles of the trappers. At the first fire I
received a severe wound, and fell from my horse with a broken leg.
Panic-stricken at the fall of their leader, and demoralized by the
unexpected reception they had met with, my followers quickly retreated
in confusion, and I was left wounded and a prisoner in the hands of the
men I had sought to destroy.

"Upon discovering that I was a white man, so great was the indignation
of the Americans, that I should have been put to death on the spot but
for the intercession of Don Rafael. Finding that I was a native Mexican
his sympathy was excited, and at his entreaty my life was spared, and
the Don's own surgeon attended to my wounds. It was nearly two months
before I had sufficiently recovered to be able to go about, and by that
time every one on the estate knew my history, or rather that version of
it which I saw fit to give them. I had represented to Don Rafael that I
had been compelled to accompany the war party against my will, and
concealed the fact that I had been the leader of the band. My story was
easily credited because of my youth, and I was treated with great
kindness. In another month I had entirely regained my health, and Don
Rafael proposed to me to enter his employ as a vaquero. To this I
assented, although I had fully determined to return to my tribe at the
first opportunity. But I had first several objects to accomplish, and I
was therefore compelled to bide my time, and wait for a favorable
occasion.

"Accordingly I joined the vaqueros of the rancheria, and for two months
performed my duties to the entire satisfaction of my master. My object
in thus remaining, when I mi