their senses and obeyed my orders. I threatened to leave them and
return home, for I knew very well that unless our party kept together
we were sure to be ambushed and attacked. I cautioned my companions
as they valued their lives to watch the Navajo and shoot him on the
spot at the first sign of treachery. This devil of an Indian led us
over terrible trails, across the roughest and highest peaks and the
deepest canyons of a wild, broken country. He seemed to be on the
lookout ever for an opportunity to escape, but I did not give him the
chance. Our horses suffered and were well-nigh exhausted when we
finally sighted the coveted stream from a spur of the Mogollon range
which we were then descending. The stream glistened and shone like
gold in the distance, under the hot rays of a noonday sun and my
companions would have made a dash for the coveted goal if their
horses had not been utterly exhausted and footsore. As it was, I had
the greatest trouble to calm them. Arriving at the last and steepest
declivity of the trail, I succeeded in halting the party long enough
to listen to my words. 'Companions,' I said, 'hear me before you rush
on! I shall stay here with this Indian, whom you will first tie to
this mesquite tree. Now you may go, and may the saints deliver you
from your evil passion and folly. Mind you, senores, I claim an equal
share with you in whatever gold you may find. If any one objects, let
him come forth and say so now, man to man. I shall hold the trail for
those among you who would haply choose to return. Forsooth,
companions, I like not the actions of this Indian. Beware the Apache,
senores; remember we are in the Tonto's own country!'

"From my position I witnessed the exciting race to the banks of the
stream, and saw plainly how eagerly my companions worked with pick
and pan. Hard they worked, but not long, for soon they assembled in
the shade of a tree, and after a conference I saw them make the usual