The officer rose and approached him. “In the hands of those who saved you.“
“It was not you, then, who caught me with a lariat?“
“No; the sabre is our weapon, not the lariat. You wrong our good soldiers with the suspicion. You were seized by ruffians, pretended Tartars. You can look at them if you are curious, for they are lying out there slaughtered like sheep.“
Saying this, he pointed with his hand to a number of dark bodies lying below the height.
To this the stranger answered, “If you will permit me to rest.“
They brought him a felt-covered saddle, on which he seated himself in silence.
He was in the prime of life, of medium height, with broad shoulders, almost gigantic build of body, and striking features. He had an enormous head, a complexion dried and sunburnt, black eyes, som
