se who,
while living, had so effectually chastised them. These were slashed and
hacked with tomahawks, pierced with spears, and arrows, beaten with war
clubs, then cut into pieces, to be tied to the tails of their horses,
and dragged in gallop to and fro over the ground. For some time this
tragical spectacle held play. Then ensued a scene savouring of the
ludicrous and grotesque.

The waggons were emptied of their contents, while the rich freight,
transported to a distance, was spread out upon the plain, and its
partition entered upon--all crowding around to receive their share.

The distribution was superintended by the Horned Lizard, though he with
the beard appeared to act with equal, or even greater, authority.
Backed by the second personage, who wore hair on his cheeks, he dictated
the apportionment.

And as he had said in soliloquy, the cotton prints of gaudy patterns
satisfied the cupidity of his red-skinned companions, leaving to himself
and his confidential friend the costlier fabrics of silken sheen. Among
the traders' stock were knives of common sort--the cheapest cutlery of
Sheffield; guns and pistols of the Brummagem brand, with beads, looking
glasses, and such-like notions from the New England Boston. All these,
delectable in the eyes of the Horned Lizard and his Tenawas, were left
to them; while the bearded man, himself selecting, appropriated the
silks and satins, the laces and real jewellery that had been designed to
deck the rich _doncellas_ of Santa Fe, El Paso, Chihuahua, and Durango.

The distribution over, the scene assumed a new aspect. It was now that
the ludicrous came prominently into play. Though not much water had
been found in the waggons, there was enough fluid of stronger spirit. A
barrel of Monongahela whisky was part of the caravan stores left
undestroyed. Knowing the white man's firewater but too well, the
Indians tapped the cask, and quaffed of its contents.

In a short time two-thirds of the band became intoxicated. Some rolled
over dead drunk, and lay a-stretch along the sand. Others tottered
about, uttering maudlin speeches. Still others of stronger stomach and
steader brain kept their feet, as also their senses; only that these
became excited, increasing their cupidity. They wanted more than they
had got, and would gamble to get it. One had a piece of cotton print,
and so had another. Each wished to have both or none. How was it to be
decided? By cards? By di