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Show FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. 317 All said I had done my duty ; if they insisted, all we could do was to baptize them, as we had no right to refuse. I told the Indians all right we would go to the river. At this all hands started pell- mell, the young ones laughing and playing, the older ones more sedate. As I started to the river I observed a strange Indian looking intently at me. He was dressed differently from the rest. I asked him if he understood Spanish. He answered, " Yes, perfectly." " Have you heard and understood the talk with the Pimas?" " Yes, sir; and the Indians are deceived. Your interpreter is either dishonest or does not understand you ; I hardly know which, but I think it is a little of both. He talks considerable Spanish, but he has not fully understood you. I fully understand and want to help you." " Will you go with me now? and I will again talk to them." " Yes." On the way to the river my new friend informed me that the main inducement offered for baptism by my interpreter was, that to all who would be baptized I would give a new shirt; and to the men of families who had no land I would give lands. So it was no wonder at the number of converts. When we got to the river bank I called the principal men together and taught them for a long time, fully explaining the true situation and requirements. The old chief, Chiacum, said he thought I must have lots of shirts and had looked around wondering where all my land was. My interpreter looked rather " sheepish." When all was explained the old chief said he did not |
