Of course, I expected her to defy Don Juan to take her,
and simply ride off in case he should win the game. At any rate, I
meant to take her under my protection, if necessary, and send her
home to her people. In fact, the liquor which Don Juan had sold these
Indians had belonged to me and had been presented to me by a friend
as an antidote for possible snake bites on the road to Arizona.
The gambling began, and my Mexican companions became so engrossed in
the enjoyment of their alluring national game of monte that they
forgot everything else. The drivers were as interested as their
employer and bet the poor trinkets they possessed on the result of
the game. There arrived more Indians continually, and I observed a
familiar face amongst these and saw that I myself was recognized. The
game was ended as I had foreseen, with Don Juan as the loser. He was
an easy prey for these Indians, who are as full of tricks as the
ocean is of water.
Then Chief Manuelito, who was highly elated with his victory over the
Mexican, challenged me to a game in a very overbearing and provoking
manner. I replied that I despised the game of monte, which was
perhaps good enough for Mexicans and Indians, but was decided by
chance; I boasted that I was ready to bet anything I had on my skill
at shooting with the rifle, and challenged him and his whole tribe to
the sport which was worthy of men, a shooting match.
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