had found the gold in the Rio de San Francisco, a mountain stream of
Arizona. He promised to guide them to the spot where he obtained the
nuggets, saying that the bottom of the stream was literally covered
with golden sand, which might be seen from a distance, as it shone
resplendently in the sun. Then every able-bodied Mexican in town who
possessed a horse prepared to join a prospecting expedition to the
wild regions of mysterious Arizona. They organized a company and
elected a captain, a man of courage and experience. The captain's
first official act was to place a guard of four armed men over the
Navajo to prevent his escape, otherwise they treated their prisoner
well.

The women of the town cooked and baked for the party, and undoubtedly
each lady reveled in the hope to see her own man return with a
sackful of gold; and as a result of these fanciful expectations they
were in the best of spirits, laughing and singing the livelong day.

At last the party was off, and what happened to them I shall relate,
as told me by the captain, Don Jose Marie Baca y Artiaga, and in his
own words as nearly as I can remember them. "Valga me, Dios, Senor!
What an experience was that trip to Arizona! It began and ended with
disappointment and disaster. All the men of our party seemed to have
lost their wits from the greed of gold. They began by hurrying. Those
who had the best mounts rushed on ahead, carrying the Indian along
with them, and strove to leave their companions who were not so well
mounted behind. The first night's camp had of necessity to be made at
a point on the Rio Puerco, distant about thirty-five miles. As the
last men rode into camp, the first comers were already making ready
to leave again. In vain I remonstrated and commanded. There was a
fight, and not until several men were seriously wounded came they to