[Illustration: 9023]
Spanish traveller met an Indian in the desert; they were both on
horseback. The Spaniard, fearing that his horse, which was none of the
best, would not hold out till the end of his journey, asked the Indian,
whose horse was young, strong, and Spirited, to exchange with him. This
the Indian refused. The Spaniard therefore began a quarrel with him.
From words they proceeded to blows. The aggressor being well armed,
proved too powerful for the native. He seized his horse, mounted him,
and pursued his journey.
[Illustration: 9024]
E was closely followed to the nearest town by the Indian, who
immediately complained to a judge. The Spaniard was obliged to appear,
and bring the horse with him. He treated the Indian as an impostor,
affirming that the horse was his property, that he had always had him in
his possession, and that he had raised him from a colt.
There being no proof to the contrary, the judge was about dismissing the
parties, when the Indian cried out,--“The horse is mine, and I’ll prove
it!” He immediately took off his mantle, and with it instantly covered
the head of the animal; then addressing the judge,--“Since this man,”
said he, “affirms that he has raised the horse from a colt, command him
to tell of which eye he is blind.” The Spaniard, who would not seem to
hesitate, instantly answered, “Of the right eye.”
“He is neither blind of the right eye,” replied the Indian, “nor of the
left.” The judge decreed him the horse, and the Spaniard to be punished
as a robber.