Suppose we try boys ?" The "boys" are unanimous in their assent, and the renegade is at once brought up for examination.

The man in the green blanket coat, who, as a Santa Fe expeditioner, has spent over twelve months in Mexican prisons, is appointed examiner.

He has been long enough among the "yellerbellies" to have learnt their language.
The renegade is for a time reticent, and his statements are contradictory.

No wonder he declines to tell what has occurred, so compromising to himself! But when the _lariat_ is at length noosed around his neck, the loose end of it thrown over the limb of a pecan tree--the other conditions being clearly expounded to him--he sees that things can be no worse; and, seeing this, makes confession--full, if not free.

He discloses everything--the attack and capture of the caravan, with the slaughter of the white men who accompanied it; he tells of the retreat of two of them to the cliff, one of whom, by the description, can be none other than Walt Wilder.