robbery.
His pockets, when turned inside out, yield such contents as might be
expected on the person of an _Indio manso_.

Only one thing, which, in the eyes of the examinators, appears out of
place; a sheet of paper folded in the form of a letter, and sealed as
such. It is saturated with water, stained to the hue of the still
turbid stream. But the superscription can be read, "Por Barbato."

So much Cully and Wilder, who assist at the examination, can make out
for themselves. But on breaking open the seal, and endeavouring to
decipher what is written inside, both are at fault, as also the others
along with them. The letter is in a language that is a sealed book to
all. It is in Spanish.

Without staying to attempt translating it, they return to the river's
bank, taking the piece of paper along, for the superscription has
touched a tender point, and given rise to strange suspicions.

Walt carries the wet letter, which, soon as rejoining their comrades, he
places in the hands of Hamersley. The latter, translating, reads aloud:

"Senor Barbato,--As soon as you receive this, communicate its contents
to the chief. Tell him to meet me on the Arroyo de Alamo--same place
as before--and that he is to bring with him twenty or thirty of his
painted devils. The lesser number will be enough, as it's not an
affair of fighting. Come yourself with them. You will find me
encamped with a small party--some female and two male captives. No
matter about the women. It's the men you have to deal with; and this
is what you are to do. Charge upon our camp the moment you get sight
of it; make your redskins shout like fiends, and ride forward,
brandishing their spears. You won't meet resistance, nor find any one
on the ground when you've got there, only our two prisoners, who will
be fast bound, and so cannot flee with us. What's to be done with
them, amigo mio, is the important part--in fact, the whole play. Tell
the chief they are to be speared upon the spot, thrust through as soon
as you get up to them. See to this yourself, lest there be any
mischance; and I'll take care you shall have your reward."

Made acquainted with the contents of this vile epistle, the rage of the
Rangers, already sufficiently aroused, breaks from all bounds, and, for
a while, seeks vent in fearful curses and asseverations. Though there
is no name appended to the diabolical chapter of instructions, they have
no d