such an
outrage as that."

"My dear Don Francisco," replies the Mexican, tranquilly twirling a
cigarrito between his fingers, "there is law for those who have the
power and money to obtain it. In New Mexico, as you must yourself know,
might makes right; and never more than at this present time. Don Manuel
Armijo is once more the governor of my unfortunate fatherland. When I
tell you that he rose to his present position by just such a crime as
that we've been speaking of, you may then understand the sort of law
administered under his rule. Manuel Armijo was a shepherd, employed on
one occasion to drive a flock of thirty thousand sheep--the property of
his employer, the Senor Chavez--to the market Chihuahua. While crossing
the Jornado del Muerte, he and one or two confederates, whom he had put
up to his plan, disguised themselves as Apache Indians, attacked their
fellow sheep-drivers, murdered them, and made themselves masters of the
flock. Then pulling the plumes from their heads, and washing the paint
off their faces, they drove their muttons to a different market, sold
them, and returned to Chavez to tell a tale of Indian spoliation, and
how they themselves had just escaped with their scalps. This is the
true history of General Don Manuel Armijo, Governor of New Mexico; at
least that of his first beginnings. With such and many similar deeds
since, is it likely he would look with any other than a lenient eye on
the doings of Gil Urago, his imitator? No, senor, not even if you could
prove the present commandant of Albuquerque, in full, open court, to
have been the individual who robbed yourself and murdered your men."

"I shall try, for all that," rejoins Hamersley, his heart wrung with
sorrow at the remembrance of his slaughtered comrades, and bursting with
the bitter thought of justice thus likely to be obstructed. "Don't
suppose Colonel Miranda, that I intend resting my cause on the clemency
of Don Manuel Armijo, or any chance of right to be expected at his
hands. There's a wide stretch of desert between the United States and
Mexico, but not wide enough to hinder the American eagle from flapping
its wings across, and giving protection to all who have a right to claim
it, even to a poor prairie trader. A thousand thanks, Colonel Miranda.
I owe you that for twice saving my life, and now for setting me on the
track of him who has twice endangered it. No use your trying to
dissuade me. I shall go in search