There were other objects upon which my eye rested with feelings of deeper pain. Stuck behind the belts of many were scalps, fresh and reeking. Their knife-hilts and fingers were red; there was blood upon their hands; there was gloom in their glances. The picture was appalling; and, adding to its awful impression, black clouds were at the moment rolling over the valley, and swathing the mountains in their opaque masses. The lightning jetted from peak to peak, followed by short claps of close and deafening thunder. "Bring up the atajo!" shouted Seguin, as he descended the ladder with his daughter. A signal was given; and shortly after the mules, in charge of the arrieros, came stringing across the plain. "Collect all the dry meat that can be found. Let it be packed as speedily as possible." In front of most of the houses there were strings of tasajo hanging against the walls. There were also dried fruits and vegetables, chile, roots of the kamas, and skin-bags filled with pinons and choke-berries. The meat was soon brought together, and several of the men assisted the arrieros in packing it. "There will be barely enough," said Seguin. "Here, Rube," continued he, calling to the old trapper; "pick out your prisoners. Twenty will be as many as we can take. You know them: chose those most likely to tempt an exchange." So saying, the chief turned off towards the atajo, leading his daughter with the intention of mounting her on one of the mules. Rube proceeded to obey the orders given him. In a short time he had collected a number of unresisting captives, and had put them aside from the rest. They were principally girls and young lads, whose dress and features bespoke them of the noblesse of the nation, the children of chiefs and warriors. This movement was not regarded in silence. The men had drawn together, and commenced talking in loud and mutinous language. "Wagh!" exclaimed Kirker, a fellow of brutal aspect; "thar are wives apiece, boys: why not every man help himself? Why not?" "Kirker's right," Rejoined another; "and I've made up my mind to have one, or bust." "But how are ye goin' to feed 'em on the road? We ha'n't meat if we take one apiece." "Meat be hanged!" ejaculated the second speaker; "we kin reach the Del Norte in four days or less. What do we want with so much meat?" "There's meat a-plenty," rejoined Kirker. "That's all the captain's palaver. If it runs out we kin drop the weemen, and take what o' them's handiest to carry." This was said with a significant gesture, and a ferocity of expression revolting to behold. "Now, boys! what say ye?" "I freeze to Kirker." "And I." "And I." "I'm not goin' to advise anybody," added the brute. "Ye may all do as ye please about it; but this niggur's not a-goin' to starve in the midst o' plenty." "Right, comrade! right, I say." "Wal. First spoke first pick, I reckin. That's mountain law; so, old gal, I cottons to you. Come along, will yer?"