For he is a Mexican by birth; when a boy made prisoner by the Comanches, and long since matriculated into the mysteries of the redman's life--its cunning, as its cruelties.
Now a man, he is one of the chiefs of the tribe, in authority only less than the Horned Lizard himself, but equal to the latter in all the cruel instincts that distinguish the savage.

"El Barbato" he is called, from having a beard, though this he keeps clean shaven, the better to assimilate himself to his beardless companions; while, with painted face and hair black as their own, he looks as Indian as any of them.

But he has not forgotten his native tongue, and this makes him useful to those who have adopted him, especially when raiding in the Republic of Mexico.
It was through him the Tenawa chief was first brought to communicate with the military robber, Uraga.
The Indian bivouac is down in the creek bottom in a little valley, on both sides flanked by precipitous cliffs.

Above and below these approach each other, so near as to leave only a narrow path along the edge of the stream.
The savages are resting after a long, rapid march, encumbered with their spoils and captives.

Some have lain down to sleep, their nude bodies stretched along the sward, resembling bronze statues tumbled from their pedestals.