2. THE SPANIARD AND THE INDIAN
A Spanish traveler had met an Indian in the midst of a desert. Both were on horseback. The Spaniard who was afraid his horse could not carry him much further, asked the Indian who had a younger and stronger one to make exchange. He refused as was right. The Spaniard picked a quarrel with him; they came to blows; but the Spaniard being well-armed, easily seized the horse the coveted, and continued his journey. The Indian followed him into the nearest town, and laid his complaint before the Judge. The Spaniard had to appear and bring the horse; he maintained that the Indian was not speaking the truth that the horse belonged to him, and that he reared it.
There was no proof of the contrary, and the Judge was about to dismiss both parties when the Indian exclaimed, “The horse is mine, and I will prevent it.” He at once took off cloak, suddenly covered the horse’s head with it, and, addressing the Judge, said, “Since this man declares he reared this horse, command him to say which eye he is blind in.” The Spaniard, not wishing to seem to hesitate immediately replied, “In the left eye.” There upon the Indian, uncovering the horse’s head, said, “He is not blind, either in the left eye of the right.” The Judge, convinced by so ingenious a proof, awarded him the horse.