page_title: The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta
section_title: Chapter 2
hierarchical_section_title: The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta / Chapter summaries / Chapter 2
caption_attribution_description: English: Capt. Harry Love of California.
context_page_description: The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta: The Celebrated California Bandit was originally published in 1854 by John Rollin Ridge, writing as "Yellow Bird". It is considered to be one of the first novels written in California and the first novel to be published by a Native American. The novel describes the life of a legendary bandit named Joaquín Murieta who, once a dignified citizen of Mexico, becomes corrupt after traveling to California during the Gold Rush. The book was originally published as a fictional biography, but was taken as truth by many historians of the time. The novel received mass attention and was translated to various European languages, including French and Spanish. Unfortunately, the novel was highly plagiarized and Ridge never received the economic gain he hoped for.
context_section_description: Chapter 2 begins by John Rollin Ridge describing how Joaquín built up his band, known as the banditti.  Though he hired Indians to help steal horses, the leaders of the gang were all Mexican.  Joaquín was known to appear as successful gambler by day, but then became the much-feared bandit by night.   In fact, Rollin Ridge went so far as to say that Joaquín was “disguised the most when he showed his real features”. 
  Though rarely known to reveal himself, there are a few accounts where Joaquín appears to have broken this trend.  One such case occurred at Mokelumne Hill while Joaquín was visiting a local saloon.  Here he heard Americans discussing how they would kill him on the spot if they saw him.  Ironically, Joaquín jumps on table and declares, “I am Joaquuin!  If there is any shooting to do, I am in.” and walks out of the saloon before the villagers had time to react.
  Being the infamous bandit that he was, there were many who attempted to pursue Joaquín Murieta.  Captain Harry Love was an express rider and Mexican war and had a history as infamous as Joaquín.  Love followed the murders and robberies of the banditti to Rancho San Luis Gonzaga and nearly locates Joaquín, who barely escapes unseen.  Another man, the owner of Oris Timbers Rancho (a man they robbed twenty horses from) picks up Joaquín's trail and follows his band to Tejon Indian territory, where he makes deal with Indian chief Sapatarra in which he promises half of the stolen horses if they are recovered by his tribe.  Known to be a very cautious tribe, they capture Joaquín and men, bind them together and steal back the horses. Eventually, they are tied to a tree and left with nothing.
  At the end of the chapter, Reyes Feliz, a close companion of Joaquín and a member of the banditti, is attacked by a grizzly bear and asks to be left to die with lover, Carmelita.
caption: Artist's depiction of Capt. Harry Love, member of The California State Rangers
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