An author acting out his own tragedies
Joaquin Murieta is described, among other things, as an actor acting out his own tragedies because of the way he plans and goes through with his bloody and risky plans. The trail of blood left behind his band has a root in his breast.
Old Satan himself
The image of the Three-Fingered Jack riding his large horse is compared to the old Satan himself riding a hell-born beast. His large and rugged frame, his forehead and face scarred with bullets and his menacing eyes together with the large black horse attribute to this comparison.
Making exit into eternity
The author uses rich metaphoric language especially when it comes to killings and executions. One of such is the execution of Joaquin's band member, who made his exit into eternity from a branch of an oak tree.
Mount Shasta like a mighty archangel
One section of the story is dedicated to a poem about Mount Shasta of Sacramento Valley. It is compared to a mighty archangel rising in its garments of snow and filling heaven with its solemn presence. The poem metaphorically describes the mountain and compares it to masculine power and fertility.
