44 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



and deposit in it some sacred meal, native tobacco, Tiewe, shells, 

 and other things held valuable by the Zunis, and then retire a 

 short distance and do not speak above a whisper. In a little 

 while one will start for the pueblo, saying nothing, and the rest 

 follow in single file. As they return, any manifestation of 

 power, as thunder or lightning, is considered a good omen, as it 

 will make them strong. 



The priest who blessed them before they started awaits their 

 return and accompanies them to the house of one of the racers or 

 that of any member of the same estufa. As they reach the door 

 of the house, those within say, " Have you come ? " " We have/' 

 they reply. " Come in and sit down." The priest then blesses them, 

 and a single cigarette is made of native tobacco and passed among 

 the number. Then they retire for the night. Next morning 

 everything is alive in Zuni. Indeed, for several days past the 

 whole population has been somewhat excited over the coming 

 event. Every one takes sides, from the gray -haired old warrior, 

 who believes the ti-kwa-we to be the greatest game ever held, to 

 the blushing maiden whose lover is one of the contestants. Excite- 

 ment runs high, and the gambling disposition of the Indian has its 

 fullest encouragement. The small boy meets his playmate and 

 stakes all his possessions. The veteran gambler once more tries 

 the turn of fortune, and to counteract his heavier betting he 

 makes a longer prayer to Ah-ai-u-ta or plants an additional plume. 

 The contestants themselves engage in betting, and every conceiv- 

 able thing of value to an Indian is either carried to the plaza, 

 south of the old Spanish church, where it is put up against some- 

 thing of equal value held by an opponent, or is hurried off to the 

 trader's store and turned into money. Ponies, sheep, goats, money, 

 beads, bracelets, all are wagered. Sometimes also they sell the 

 race. This is not generally admitted by the Zunis, but I have it 

 on good authority that it has been done. 



The day for the race has arrived ; the runners have been up 

 since early morning, and have taken a spin over part of the course. 

 During the morning nearly all the members of the estufa drop in 

 to tell them how much they have wagered on their success and to 

 encourage them. About an hour before the time to start they eat 

 a little heive, or paper bread, soaked in water. JSewe is one of the 

 chief breadstuffs of the Zunis, and a good 7im'<?-maker is in repu- 

 tation throughout the tribe as a good pastry-cook is among us. 

 Hewe is made from corn batter spread with the hand on a large 

 flat stone over a slow fire. It takes but a moment to bake it, is 

 almost as thin as paper, very crisp, and will vary in color accord- 

 ing to the color of the corn used. This repast of hewe is accom- 

 panied by a piece of humming-bird, as the flight of that bird is so 

 very swift. 



