a deed against me. In that case I shall be content, for neither do I
fear the devil. But I shall be content only if you follow my orders. I
add here a list of my enemies and of those who have cause to wish me
ill. If I am killed, it is probable that some one of these will have
done the deed. Therefore they must all die. You must see to it,
following them if necessary to the ends of the earth. You will know
how; and what means to employ. When all these are gone, then go you to
the highest rock on the southerly pinnacle of Cochise's Stronghold. Ten
paces northwest is a gray, flat slab. If you lift this slab there will
be found a copper box. In the box is the name of a man. You will go to
this man and give him the copper box and in return he will give to you
one hundred thousand dollars. I know well, my Ramon, that your honesty
would not permit you to seek the copper box before the last of my
enemies is dead. Nevertheless, that you may admire my recourse, I have
made an arrangement. If the gray slab on Cochise's Stronghold is ever
disturbed before the whole toll is paid, you will die very suddenly and
unpleasantly. I know well that you, my Ramon, would not disturb it; and
I hope for your sake that nobody else will do so. It is not likely. No
one is fool enough to climb Cochise's Stronghold for pleasure; and this
gray slab is one among many."

At this time I did not read carefully the above cheerful document. My
Spanish was good enough, but took time in the translating. I dipped into
it enough to determine that it was what we wanted, and flipped the pages
to come to the list of prospective victims. It covered two sheets, and a
glance down the columns showed me that about every permanent inhabitant
of the Soda Springs Valley was included. I found my own name in quite
fresh ink toward the last.

"This is what we want," I said in satisfaction, rising to my feet. I