le of the
Te-hua, as told to me by the old men. One has never held me from
seeing clear that which I read in the other, and the graven image has
only the Meaning and the Power which each man gives to it! It was with
me when I took away the sting of the Brother Snake. Padre Luis was a
man who would have been a good man in any religion--that is why I kept
this symbol of him--not for the crucified god on it! But for the sake
of the god, is it sacred to you because your heart tells you to think
that way. It is right to be what a man's heart tells him to be. I give
you the prayer beads. I give it to you because your horse helped me to
show your people that the pagan gods are strong, if the heart of the
man is strong!"

In the "Relaciones" Don Diego wrote that--"The horrification of that
moment was a time men might live through but could not write of.--For
myself I know well that only the invisible army of the angels kept the
beams of the roof from crushing us, as well as the poor pagans, who
sat themselves still in a circle with pleasant countenances!"

Ruy Sandoval knew courage of any kind when he saw it, and he met
Tahn-te midway of the council and accepted the rosary of beauty from
his hand.

"My thanks to you, Senor Cacique," he said--"the more so for the
care given this relic. The Fray Luis de Escalona was known of my
mother--also was known the lady from whom this went to his hand.
A goldsmith of note fashioned it, and its history began in a
palace;--strange that its end should be found here in the desert
of the Indies."

"The end has perhaps not yet been found, Senor,"--said the
Indian,--"thanks that you accept it."

Then he spoke in Te-hua to the people as if every personal incident
with the Castilians was forever closed.

"You have listened to fair words from these men--and to sweet words of
brother and brother. I have waited until all of you spoke that I might
know your hearts. You are proud that they come over all the deserts
and seek you for friends. Have you asked them why it is so?"

No one had asked why all the other tribes were left behind, and why
the strangers had come to camp at the Rio Grande del Norte.

"We are good people," stated one man, and the others thought that was
so, and a fair enough reason.

Tahn-te listened, and then spoke to the Castilians.

"You have come far, Senores, and my people have not yet heard the true
reason of the honor you pay them. The priest always goes--and the tal