gle! So can the Utah,
as I had evidence at that moment. Before the trumpet-notes had ceased
to reverberate from the rocks, five hundred warriors had secured their
horses, and stood beside them armed and ready to mount. A regiment of
regular dragoons could not have responded to "Boots and saddles" with
greater expedition!

Peg-leg took possession of me. "Senor Pintado!" said he, speaking in
Spanish, and after having examined my wounds, "the best medicine for you
will be your breakfast; and while your _conpaisana_ is preparing it, you
can come with me, and have a little water thrown over you. This
painting does not improve your looks; besides, if it get into your
wounds, they will be all the more difficult to make a cure of. _Nos
vamos_!"

The huntress had retired to a tent that stood near that of the chief,
and a little to the rear of it. I followed the Mexican, who, in a
hobbling gait, proceeded towards the stream. The cold bath, assisted by
some Taos brandy from the gourd _xuage_ of the trapper, soon restored my
strength; and the hideous pigment, lathered with the bruised roots of
the _palmilla_--the soap-plant of the New Mexicans, soon disappeared
from my skin. A few slices of the _oregano_ cactus applied to my
wounds, placed them in a condition to heal with a rapidity almost
miraculous; for such is the curative power of this singular plant. My
Mexican _medico_ was yet more generous, and furnished me with a handsome
Navajo blanket, which served as a complete covering for my shoulders.

"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed he, as he tendered the garment, "take it,
_Americano_! You maybe able to repay me when you have recovered your
possible-sack from the Arapahoes. _Mira_!" he added, pointing towards
the tents--"your breakfast is ready: yonder the _senorita_ is calling
you. Take heed, _hombre_! or her eyes may cause you a more dangerous
wound than any of those you have received from the bullets of the
Arapahoes. _Vaya_!"

I resisted an inclination to make inquiries: though the hint of the Taos
trapper half furnished me with an excuse. My "countrywoman," he had
called her. No doubt he knew more of her history; but I questioned him
not. Remembering her promise, I had hopes that I might soon learn it
from her own lips.

CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR.

A BEAUTIFUL HOSTESS.

"Aha, stranger!" said she, as I approached the tent, "he has altered
your appearance wonderfully. Oh! you are not so frightful now. Come
in!