The Arizona Desert 



&quot; Yes me big paleface me come long way 

 toward setting sun go cross Big Water go Buck 

 skin Siwash chase cougar.&quot; 



The cougar, or mountain lion, is a Navajo god, 

 and the Navajos hold him in as much fear and 

 reverence as do the Great Slave Indians the musk-ox. 



&quot; No kill cougar,&quot; continued Jones, as the Indian s 

 bold features hardened. &quot; Run cougar horseback 

 run long way dogs chase cougar long time chase 

 cougar up tree! Me big chief me climb tree 

 climb high up lasso cougar rope cougar tie 

 cougar all tight.&quot; 



The Navajo s solemn face relaxed. 



&quot; White man heap fun. No.&quot; 



Yes,&quot; cried Jones, extending his great arms. 

 &quot; Me strong; me rope cougar me tie cougar; ride 

 off wigwam, keep cougar alive.&quot; 



&quot; No,&quot; replied the savage vehemently. 



Yes,&quot; protested Jones, nodding earnestly. 



&quot; No,&quot; answered the Navajo, louder, raising his 

 dark head. 



&quot; Yes! &quot; shouted Jones. 



&quot; BIG LIE! &quot; the Indian thundered. 



Jones joined good-naturedly in the laugh at his 

 expense. The Indian had crudely voiced a skepticism 

 I had heard more delicately hinted in New York, 

 and singularly enough, which had strengthened on 



