Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/332

AIX>NSO UNHOBSBD TBN MBK 315 he was pushed from his saddle very scientifically, and now there was only two left, and these two could plainly see the outcome, but concluded to make one rush at the impregnable, indefatigable, single horse- man. But Alonso just played with them for several minutes, as the entertainment was too short, having lasted about fifteen minutes, and when our young lieutenant had permitted the two men to make sev- eral rushes at him, once or tvrice he actually stopped his horse, but just before they reached him, caused his barb to spring aside and let the two horses pass without any damage to either party. But all of a hur- ry the last of the ten is on the grass instead of the horse's back, and then it is that all the Spaniards, in eluding the ten, surround the young man, for they spontaneously felt an admiration for their young countryman which they could not restrain. Coro- nado hugged the young fellow, and in fact every man of the thirty-six did something to convey their appro- val and appreciation of the wonderful demonstration. But Ysopete and Monte had to abide their time to show their adulation of their master, but to Alonso their approval and pleasure affected him even more than the soldiers; he had tested their friendship by acts, for had not these two natives ministered to his physical wants, not for days, but for weeks and months, studying every possible contingency for his comfort? Had not Monte saved his life by use of the antidote when his hand got accidentally poisoned? The good Father Padilla, reverently placing his hand upon Alonso^s head, blessed him with a fervor and with such beautiful words, that it really affected