preparations for camping. Several men looked after the wants of the
horses, others built fires, and four of the party returned toward me.
'What luck, Companeros!' I hailed them when they came within hearing
distance. 'Senor Capitan, we have come for the Indian,' said the
spokesman of the squad. 'And what use have you for the Indian?' I
asked. 'We shall hang him to yonder tree,' they said, 'as a warning
to liars and impostors.' Bueno, Caballeros, he deserves it. I deliver
him into your hands under this condition, that you grant him a fair
trial, as becomes men who being good Catholics and sure of the
salvation of their souls may not, without just cause, consign a
heathen to the everlasting fires of perdition.'

"Silently, stoically, the Indian suffered himself to be led to the
place of his execution. After the enraged Mexicans had placed him
under a tree with the noose of a riata around his neck, they informed
him that he might now plead in the defense of his life if he had
anything to say. 'Mexicans,' said the Navajo, 'I fear not death! If I
must die, let it be by a bullet. I call the great Spirit, who knows
the hearts of his people, to witness that I beg not for my life. I
have not a split tongue nor am I an impostor. I have guided you to
the place of gold. I have kept my promise. You Mexicans came with
evil hearts. You fought your own brothers. You abandoned your sick
companions on the trail to the coyote. You have broken the law of
hospitality toward me, your guest, as no Spaniard has ever done
before. Therefore, has your God punished you. He has changed the good
gold of these waters to shimmering mica and shining dross. Fool gold
He gives to fools! As you serve me now, so shall the Apaches do to
you. Never more shall you taste of the waters of the Rio Grande, so
says the Spirit in my heart!'