Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/110

99 A SECRET DIVULGED. 99 How else could the young man answer other than to tell the truth, which was derogatory to the Span- iards? Many things were talked about, and the advice given by Monte to the chief was to the effect that he and his people had better make their escape. During the interview Monte informed the chief of the nobleness of his master, and asked the chief to con- fide to him the remedy for curing a wound made by a poisoned arrow so that he could save his master should he get hurt. The chief hesitated, but the ear- nestness of his young friend and the fervor and friendship displayed for his young master, struck the Indian chief as being so commendable that he agreed- to impart the information, if Monte would take a sol' emn oath to never divulge the remedy to any other person; and that he was only to use it upon himself and others who were dear to him. Of course Monte gladly assented to the stipulation. Then the chief informed him how they proceeded to make theiy missiles so deadly. "If we cannot pro-, cure rattlesnake's venom, the most deadly poison then the next best thing is to allow hver to decom- pose, to which may be added crushed tarantulas and scorpions; then we take the spines of the cactus and mix them in with grease. This wUl cause much irri- tation of the wound. But for any of these, and par- ticularly for the rattlesnake venom, the juice of the quince apphed is the only known cure." So from that hour Monte resolved to never be without some of the remedy, and thus he saved his master's hfe. But you naturally exclaim, what part did Alonso take in this first assault? His conduct was so con-