an Indian: he had fallen
under the knife of an assassin--but it was a Mexican who had been bribed
to the base deed.

Up to the present all had prospered. I was called "The Liberator, the
Protector of California." Splendid offers were made to me, and the
independence of California would have been secured, had I only had two
small vessels to reduce the southern sea-ports which had not yet
declared themselves, either fearing the consequences of a rebellion, or
disliking the idea of owing their liberation to a foreign condottiere,
and a large force of savages.

The Apaches returned home with eighty mules loaded with their booty; so
did the Arrapahoes with pretty nearly an equal quantity. My Shoshones I
satisfied with promises, and returned with them to the settlement, to
prepare myself for forthcoming events.

A few chapters backwards I mentioned that I had despatched my old
servant to Monterey. He had taken with him a considerable portion of my
jewels and gold to make purchases, which were firmly to establish my
power over the Indian confederacy. A small schooner, loaded with the
goods purchased, started from Monterey; but never being seen afterwards,
it is probable that she fell into the hands of the pirate vessels which
escaped from San Francisco.

I had relied upon this cargo to satisfy the just demands of my Indians
upon my arrival at the settlement. The loss was a sad blow to me. The
old chief had just died, the power had devolved entirely upon me, and it
was necessary, according to Indian custom, that I should give largess,
and shew a great display of liberality on my accession to the command of
the tribe; so necessary, indeed, was it, that I determined upon
returning to Monterey, _via_ San Francisco, to provide what was
requisite. This step was a fatal one, as will be shewn when I narrate
the circumstances which had occurred during my absence.

Upon hearing the news of our movements in the west, the Mexican
government, for a few days, spoke of nothing but extermination. The
state of affairs, however, caused them to think differently; they had
already much work upon their hands, and California was very far off.
They hit upon a plan, which, if it shewed their weakness, proved their
knowledge of human nature. While I was building castles in the air,
agents from Mexico privately came to Monterey and decided the matter.

They called together the Americans domiciled at Monterey, who were the
wealthiest a