At this the Indians went wild. They
had thought it impossible for any man to perform this feat of
marksmanship, and were most enthusiastic in the profession of their
admiration. Gladly would they have adopted me into their tribe as a
great chief or medicine man had I wished to ally myself to them.
There was the opportunity of a lifetime, but I did not embrace it.
As the sun was now low in the heavens, I advised Don Juan to remain
in camp for the night and spoke to Chief Manuelito, expressing my
wish to pass through his country unmolested and without delay. The
chief assured me of his protection and bade us have no care. We slept
soundly that night, a band of Indians guarding our camp and herd
under orders of Manuelito, who had become my stanch friend and
admirer. The following day we came to the end of the reservation and
soon crossed the boundary line of New Mexico into Arizona.
CHAPTER IX. IN ARIZONA
I left New Mexico with the intention of making Los Angeles in the
golden State my future home, and now, thirty years later, I have not
reached there yet. Vainly have I tried to break the thraldom of my
fate, for I did not know that here I was to meet face to face with
the mighty mystery of an ancient cult, the God of a long-forgotten
civilization, a psychic power which has ordered my path in life and
controlled my actions.
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