The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta

One of Joaquín’s associates, Luis Vinuela, is arrested following the murder of a German prospector and looks set to be hanged. He is released with apologies when a smartly dressed American called Samuel Harrington presents himself, claiming that Vinuela is his hired man, vouching for his character, and decrying the overwhelming prejudice against Mexicans. As the two men ride away laughing together, it is revealed that “Harrington” is none other than Joaquín in disguise.

Another of Joaquín’s henchmen, Reiss, sends words that he has procured a further 200 horses, murdering 150 Chinese miners in the process. The narrator comments that Chinese miners make a better target than white Americans as their deaths are far less likely to be investigated.

One evening, Reiss approaches a house where he sees a young man kneeling before a particularly beautiful woman and kissing her. Reiss is smitten with the woman and decides to abduct her. He kills two of his own men in the process after one of them strikes down the woman’s elderly mother. Reiss keeps the woman, Rosalie, hostage for several days. He does her no harm, even when she tries to escape, and threatens his own men when they make improper advances.