A Sportsman 399 



warm and durable, and are often in gay colors from na- 

 tive dyes, and are plentifully met with in New Mexico. 



These Indians are governed by their native chiefs 

 by rude laws of their own, and some are quite industri- 

 ous, though in this respect behind the Pueblo tribes, of 

 which there are many, who are village dwellers and have 

 always been peaceful with the whites, excepting in the 

 general uprising which drove out and exterminated 

 all the Spaniards, their cruel oppressors, in 1680. 



A marked degree of difference is also observed 

 between the Navajos and many of the other Indian 

 tribes upon reservations, located in the vicinity of white 

 settlements, where the effect of example is distinctly 

 evident in the respectable appearance of the Indians. 



The Navajos are still fierce-looking, and cling to 

 their old costume of buckskin leggings and moccasins, 

 enlivened by the gay-colored government blankets, 

 which are much less durable and expensive than 

 their own. Their fondness for ochre pigments is 

 as strong as ever, and is shown on their faces gen- 

 erally, and painting up is a feature of observance 

 upon the eve of any visit from the reservation, or 

 in fact any event out of the ordinary line. 



Could the history of this once warlike tribe be 

 given, it would be one of great interest, and give much 

 light upon the early history of the vast region once 

 occupied as the scene of their plundering forays 

 and murderous descents upon the peaceful Pueblos 

 and Mexican settlers, when whole families and settle- 

 ments were exterminated. With the many Apaches 

 occupying the regions south, and with whom the 

 Navajos were in perpetual conflict, but were mutual 

 in plundering and murdering all they could reach 



