But the cacique bore himself so bravely that I felt reluctant to kill him in cold blood; and, thinking that killing his horse might do as well, I waited until they were well within range, and, taking careful aim, shot it through the head.

As the horse went down, the cacique sprang nimbly to his feet; he seemed neither surprised nor dismayed, took a long look at the house, then waved his men back, and followed them leisurely to the other side of the square.
"What think you, Gahra?
Will they go away and leave us in peace, or shall we have to shoot some of them ?" I said as I reloaded my musket.
"I think we shall, senor.

That tall man whose horse you shot did not seem much frightened." "Anything but that, and--what are they about now ?" The wild Indians, directed by their chief, were driving the tame Indians together, pretty much as sheep-dogs drive sheep, and soon had them penned into a compact mass in an angle formed by the church and another building.
Although the crowd numbered two or three hundred, of whom a third were men, no resistance was offered.

A few of exceptionally energetic character made a languid attempt to bolt, but were speedily brought back by the _misterios_, whose long spears they treated with profound respect.
So soon as this operation was completed the cacique beckoned peremptorily to the _padre_, and the two, talking earnestly the while, came toward the house.

It seemed as if the Indian chief wanted a parley; but, not being quite sure of this, I thought it advisable, when he was about fifty yards off, to show him the muzzle of my piece.