78 Audubon's Western Journal 



and his black moustache added to a slight sneer as 

 he looked at a Mexican thief standing before him; 

 he was altogether one of the most striking figures I 

 have ever seen. Opposite was Judge Stakes, also 

 a very handsome man, as fair in hair and com- 

 plexion as Clay Davis was dark. Behind him 

 stood Simson with his Vandyke head and peaked 

 beard; he was in deep shadow, with arms folded, 

 and head a little bowed, but his searching eyes 

 fixed keenly on the prisoner. 



One step in advance stood Don Francisco putting 

 question after question to the thief, a little further 

 ofif stood three other rascals, their muscular arms 

 tied, waiting "adjudication." 



On the other side, in the light, sat another Mex- 

 ican holding the stolen property which had been 

 recovered; and behind him a table with glasses, 

 bottles and a demijohn. Lieut. Browning and I 

 sat on a cot bed covered with a Mexican blanket, 

 watching the whole scene, denials, confessions, 

 accusations, threats, and one after another piece by 

 piece was produced of our property. All the 

 clothes were recovered, amid questions and oaths in 

 Spanish and English, until we abandoned all hope 

 of regaining anything more. 



With Lieut. Browning I left to return to Mier, 

 but half-way between Davis's rancho and Roma 

 met the company in wagons which they had hired. 

 All were well, but so weary and debilitated they 



