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
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.
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