Life in Patagonia. 103 
the side they had started from and give himself up 
to the Indians. Naturally they made no objection, 
being unable to help him; and so Damian left them, 
and when the Indians saw him approaching they got 
off their horses and came down to the margin, their 
lances in their hands. Of course Damian knew 
right well that savages seldom burden themselves 
with a male captive when they happen to be out on 
the war-path ; but he was a clever boy, and though 
death by steel was more painful than death by 
drowning, there was still a faint chance that his 
captors might have compassion on him, He began, 
in fact, to appeal to their mercy from the moment 
he abandoned his companions. ‘Indians! friends! 
brothers !”’ he shouted aloud from the water. ‘ Do 
not kill me: in heart Iam an Indian like one of 
yourselves, and no Christian. My skin is white, I 
know; but I hate my own race, to escape from 
them has always been my one desire. To live with 
the Indians I love, in the desert, that is the only 
wish of my heart. Spare me, brothers, take me 
with you, and I will serve you all my life. Let me 
live with you, hunt with you, fight with you— 
especially against the hated Christians.” 
In the middle of the river Marcos lifted up his 
face and laughed hoarsely to hear this eloquent 
address; though they expected to see poor Damian 
thrust through with spears the very next moment, he 
could not help laughing. They watched him arrive, 
still loudly crying out for mercy, astonishing them 
very much with his oratorical powers, for Damian 
