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When Manuel offered to lead a band of young bucks in search of prey, Cornea stopped his tongue, for Manuel, more than any other of the braves, had brought them into grief and shame.
Nor would the younger men go out. In savage wrath the untaineable robber swore that he would go alone.
Manuel had a cousin in the band, who was his nearest chum.
He had two ponies also, and he hoped his chum, a matchless rider, would join him ; but on hearing his proposals for a new raid, the young man turned away his face.
It was not for himself he feared, but for the squaws and little ones of his band.
Cornea's pledge was given.
If any members of his band were found at large, Cornea would be blamed; if they were caught with scalps and stolen stock, the chief would have to answer for their crimes.
When Manuel was ready to depart, his cousin and some other braves crept noiselessly to his tent, with rifles in their clutch, and finding his two ponies hitched to a tree, fired into them.
The ponies both fell dead.
Manuel ran out. His comrades sprang to their feet.
With cold and haughty gesture, he exclaimed:
1875.
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