Devil Woman

The old chief desires to see his son provided with a squaw, but she must be good and beautiful. He summons many braves and sends them to distant camps and villages, calling for an Indian maiden, one who will be a fit mate for Ortega, the son of the powerful chief. From the villages come many maidens, including the beautiful and modest Mona. In one of the villages the old hag, the "Devil Woman," hears the message and decides that her daughter, Kulush, shall be chosen. The day of the choosing arrives and the maidens file by the expectant Ortega. He gazes at them with indifference until Mona slowly raises her eyes to his, when he smiles. Kulush is led to Ortega by her mother, who watches him closely. Ortega does not smile. The maidens form a circle around Ortega and smile. They dance and Ortega impulsively pulls Mona from the circle and his choice is made. The maidens shower the couple with the corn and flowers they have brought and depart as the "Devil Woman" forms her horrid schemes. One day the hag discovers the weeds she is searching for, and with a triumphant and malicious grin she throws them on the fire, incanting the while she throws the ashes in the air and lo! Mona sees the beloved form of Ortega slowly change into a beautiful pinto pony. The "Devil Woman" croons her joy and Mona runs in fear, the pony always at her shoulder. Arriving at the village, Mona tells the story, and Comanche, the pony, nods an affirmative. Darkface, who himself admires Mona, is secretly pleased, while the rest of the tribe show their sorrow and pet the pony. Darkface tries to persuade Mona to go with him, but she points sadly to Comanche. He determines to get the pinto out of the way in order to compel Mona to listen to him. He takes Comanche away into the woods, bobbles him, and jeering at him, returns. He surprises Mona at the waterhole, puts his hand over her mouth, and carrying her off, ties her to a tree until she will obey his will. Comanche undoes the bobbles and starts in search of Mona. He finds her and, loosening her bonds with his teeth, he frees her; but she, weakened with long standing, falls, whereupon Comanche lies beside her and helping Mona gets her on his back rises and gallops away. They meet the revengeful Darkface and Comanche edges him over a cliff. The Devil Woman finds him so and goes for herbs. Comanche looks over the cliff and starts a big rock over the edge. It crushes the inhuman couple as Manitou, the good fairy of the Indians, rides on and flourishes a spear. The spell is broken and Comanche gradually fades away and Ortega stands again before his beloved Mona.