lad was plainly the church, and that sight of
the dead, unconfessed barbarians, had awakened his conscience as to
human duties for the Faith.

This interesting fact he made mention of to Don Ruy, who bade him god
speed in making missionaries out of unexpected material,--and got more
amusement out of the idea than one would expect, and Don Diego hinted
that it was unseemly to jest at serious matters of the saving of souls
when his own had stood so good a chance at escape through the hole in
his neck.

"It may be that I found a soul through that same wound," said Don
Ruy, "at least I gained enough to make amends for the scar to be left
by the wicked lance."

"It is true that the knowledge gained of their savage surgery is a
thing of import for the 'Relaciones,'" agreed Don Diego,--"but only
the infidel Cacique made practice of it, and his acts are scarcely the
kind to bring a blessing on any work--I have been put to it to decide
how little space to give his name in these pages. It is not a seemly
thing that the most wicked should be the most exalted in the
chronicles of our travels."

"Whether exalted or not he must be again considered in this quest of
the gold," stated Padre Vicente, "Gonzalvo brings me word that more
than one of the tribe would have joy in his downfall, and that it is
the good time to talk with the head men openly on this question. Our
men have helped fight their battles:--thus matters have changed for
us. Many of the women are allowed to come home--they perceive we are
as brothers and are not afraid."

"They also perceive that we have a Navahu war captive whom they desire
exceedingly for use on the altar of the Mesa of the Hearts,"--observed
Don Ruy. "They are much disturbed for lack of a sacrifice these days.
They say the Ancient Star will send earth troubles until such
sacrifice is made, some of the clans must donate a member unless the
gods send a substitute--their preference is for a young and comely
youth or maiden. They plainly hinted to Gonzalvo that the Navahu has
been given into our hands by the gods for that purpose."

Don Diego was emphatic in his horror, but the padre explained that
from the heathen point of view it was not so cruel as might be
thought. When the savages went to war they prepared themselves for
such fate if captured. More:--the death was not torture. The
ceremonies were religious according to the pagan idea--chants and
prayers and garlands of flowers and sacred pine