"
The aliens were disconcerted, and wilted. The owner picked up
courage and ordered the cook to prepare dinner. We loaned our
horses to the wrangler and another man, the remuda was brought
in, and before we sat down to the midday meal, every vaquero had
a horse under saddle, while two of them had ridden away to look
after the grazing cattle. With order restored, we set about
systematically to lay away the unfortunate man. A detail of
vaqueros under Cederdall prepared a grave on the nearest knoll,
and wrapping the corpse in a tarpaulin, we buried him like a
sailor at sea. Several vaqueros were visibly affected at the
graveside, and in order to pacify them, I suggested that we
unload the wagon of supplies and haul up a load of rock from a
near-by outcropping ledge. Pablo had fallen like a good soldier
at his post, I urged, and it was befitting that his comrades
should mark his last resting-place. To our agreeable surprise the
corporal hurrahed his men and the wagon was unloaded in a jiffy
and dispatched after a load of rock. On its return, we spent an
hour in decorating the mound, during which time lament was
expressed for the future of Pablo's soul. Knowing the almost
universal faith of this alien race, as we stood around the
finished mound, Cederdall, who was Catholic born, called for
contributions to procure the absolution of the Church.
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