fortunes to another settlement.

That of San Ildefonso--town, Presidio, mission, haciendas, and ranchos--
in the short space of twelve hours had ceased to exist. The dwellers of
that lovely valley were no more!

It is yet but noon. The ruins of San Ildefonso are still smoking. Its
former denizens are dead, but it is not yet unpeopled. In the Plaza
stand hundreds of dusky warriors drawn up in hollow square, with their
faces turned inward. They are witnessing a singular scene--another act
in the drama of their leader's vengeance.

Two men are mounted upon asses, and tied upon the backs of the animals.
These men are stripped--so that their own backs are perfectly bare, and
exposed to the gaze of the silent spectators! Though these men no
longer wear their flowing robes, it is easy to distinguish them. Their
close-cut hair and shaven crowns show who they are--the padres of the
mission!

Deep cuts the cuarto into their naked skin, loudly do they groan, and
fearfully writhe. Earnestly do they beg and pray their persecutors to
stay the terrible lash. Their entreaties are unheeded.

Two white men, standing near, overlook the execution. These are Carlos
the cibolero and Don Juan the ranchero.

The priests would move them to pity, but in vain. The hearts of those
two men have been turned to stone.

"Remember my mother--my sister!" mutters Carlos.

"Yes, false priests--remember!" adds Don Juan.

And again is plied the cutting lash, until each corner of the Plaza has
witnessed a repetition of the punishment!

Then the asses are led up in front of the parroquia--now roofless and
black; their heads are fastened together, so that the backs of their
riders are turned toward the spectators.

A line of warriors forms at a distance off--their bows are bent, and at
a signal a flight of arrows goes whistling through the air.

The suffering of the padres is at an end. Both have ceased to exist.

I have arrived at the last act of this terrible drama; but words cannot
describe it. In horror it eclipses all the rest. The scene is La
Nina--the top of the cliff--the same spot where Carlos had performed his
splendid feat on the day of San Juan.

Another feat of horsemanship is now to be exhibited. How different the
actors--how different the spectators!

Upon the tongue that juts out two men are seated upon horseback. They
are not free riders, for it may be noticed that they are tied upon their
seats. Their hands