veral of whom were
boisterously drunk. It was only with curses and drawn arms that the
chief prevented these men from committing outrages on their helpless
captive.

After coffee was served, the chief unfolded his plot to them, with Don
Ramon as a listener to the proceedings. Addressing them, he said that
the prisoner's offense was not one against them or theirs; that at
best they were but the hirelings of others; that they were poorly
paid, and that it had become sickening to him to do the bloody work
for others. Don Ramon Mora had gold at his command, enough to give
each more in a day than they could hope to receive for years of this
inhuman servitude. He could possibly pay to each two thousand dollars
for his freedom, guaranteeing them his gratitude, and pledging to
refrain from any prosecution. Would they accept this offer or refuse
it? As many as were in favor of granting his life would deposit in his
hat a leaf from the mesquite; those opposed, a leaf from the wild cane
which surrounded their camp.

The vote asked for was watched by the prisoner as only a man could
watch whose life hung in the balance. There were eight cane leaves
to seven of the mesquite. The chief flew into a rage, cursed his
followers for murderers for refusing to let the life blood run in this
man, who had never done one of them an injury. He called them cowards
for attacking the helpless, even accusing them of lack of respect for
their chief's wishes. The majority hung their heads like whipped curs.
When he had finished his harangue, one of their number held up his
hand to beg the privilege of speaking.

"Yes, defend your dastardly act if you can," said the chief.

"Capitan," said the man, making obeisance and tapping his breast,
"there is an oath recorded here, in memory of a father who was hanged
by the French for no other crime save that he was a patriot to the
land of his birth. And you ask me to violate my vow! To the wind with
your sympathy! To the gallows with our enemies!" There was a chorus
of "bravos" and shouts of "Vivi el Mejico," as the majority
congratulated the speaker.

When the chief led the prisoner back to his blanket, he spoke
hopefully to Don Ramon, explaining that it was the mescal the men had
drunk which made them so unreasonable and defiant. Promising to
reason with them when they were more sober, he left Don Ramon with his
solitary guard. The chief then returned to the band, where he received
the congratulation