e, he gave these instructions: "Be in no hurry to execute these
orders. Death is far too light a sentence to fit his crime. He is
beyond a full measure of justice." There was a chorus of "bravos" when
the bandit chief finished this trumped-up charge. As he turned from
the prisoner, Don Ramon pleadingly begged, "Only take me before an
established court that I may prove my innocence."

"No! sentence has been passed upon you. If you hope for mercy, it must
come from there," and the chief pointed heavenward. One of the band
led out the arch-chief's horse, and with a parting instruction
to "conceal his grave carefully," he rode away with but a single
attendant.

As they led Don Ramon back to his blanket and replaced the fetters,
his cup of sorrow was full to overflowing. Oddly enough the leader,
since sentence of death had been pronounced upon his victim, was the
only one of the band who showed any kindness. The others were brutal
in their jeers and taunts. Some remarks burned into his sensitive
nature as vitriol burns into metal. The bandit leader alone offered
little kindnesses.

Two days later, the acting chief ordered the irons taken from the
captive's feet, and the two men, with but a single attendant, who
kept a respectful distance, started out for a stroll. The bandit chief
expressed his regret at the sad duty which had been allotted him, and
assured Don Ramon that he would gladly make his time as long as was
permissible.

"I thank you for your kindness," said Don Ramon, "but is there no
chance to be given me to prove the falsity of these charges? Am I
condemned to die without a hearing?"

"There is no hope from that source."

"Is there any hope from any source?"

"Scarcely," replied the leader, "and still, if we could satisfy those
in authority over us that you had been executed as ordered, and if
my men could be bribed to certify the fact if necessary, and if you
pledge us to quit the country forever, who would know to the contrary?
True, our lives would be in jeopardy, and it would mean death to you
if you betrayed us."

"Is this possible?" asked Don Ramon excitedly.

"The color of gold makes a good many things possible."

"I would gladly give all I possess in the world for one hour's peace
in the presence of my family, even if in the next my soul was summoned
to the bar of God. True, in lands and cattle I am wealthy, but the
money at my command is limited, though I wish it were otherwise."

"It is a