“To make it thoroughly secure, I cut a length from my lazo; and, warping it round the waist, fastened one end to the pommel in front, the other to the cantle behind.
“A separate piece tied to the stirrups, and passing under the belly of the horse, kept the feet from swinging about.
“The head still remained to be dealt with. It too must be taken along.
“On lifting it from the ground, and endeavouring to detach it from the hat, I found that this could not be done. It was swollen to enormous dimensions; and the sombrero adhered to it—close as the skin itself.
“Having no fear that they would fall apart, I tied a piece of string to the buckle of the band; and hung both hat and head over the horn of the saddle.
“This completed my preparations for the journey.
“I mounted the horse of the murdered man; and, calling upon my own to follow me—he was accustomed to do so without leading—I started to ride back to the settlement.
“In less than five minutes after, I was knocked out of my saddle—and my senses at the same time.
“But for that circumstance I should not be standing here,—at all events, not in the unpleasant position I now hold.”
“Knocked out of your saddle!” exclaims the judge. “How was that?”