"Indians!" * * * * * * 85 



United States. Taos, farther north, is a spectacular pueblo. In fact, 

 there are two great pueblos at this place, one on each side of fine moun 

 tain streams. High mountains rise back of the Indian villages and the 

 whole scene is one of such charm and beauty that it has attracted artists 

 and writers from all over the nation. The Taos region has three settled 

 sections : the Indian villages, San Fernando de Taos, the American town 

 near which Kit Carson is buried, and Ranches de Taos, a very old 

 Mexican town farther south. In the Mexican town is an ancient mission 

 church. 



Mesa Verde National Park was created to preserve the most re 

 markable ruins of prehistoric inhabitants of the Southwest that remain 

 anywhere. There are two types of ruins, one embracing great buildings 

 under overhanging cliffs, and the other old pueblos on top of the mesa. 

 The former occupants of these cliff dwellings are thought to have been 

 the ancestors of the Pueblo, Hopi, Zufii, and other pueblo-dwelling In 

 dians of New Mexico and Arizona. The park is joined on the south by 

 the Southern Ute reservation, and southeast a short distance is the 

 Jicarilla Apache reserve. 



The superintendent of Mesa Verde Park, Jesse L. Nusbaum, is an 

 archaeologist of note, and around the campfires at night he tells the 

 story of the ancient dwellers on the Mesa Verde as it has been pieced 

 together from pottery, baskets, and other artifacts. He employs Nava- 

 hoes in the work of maintaining the park roads and trails. These Navaho 

 men have their wives and children with them and park visitors are priv 

 ileged to see a real Navaho village in the park. There are always Navaho 

 women weaving blankets, others doing camp work, and usually there is 

 a baby or two to lend more interest to the scene. In the evenings, the 

 Indians give native dances after the superintendent's talk. 



Occasionally the spectacular play, Fire, written by Mrs. Nusbaum, 

 and embodying the legends of the Navaho nation in relation to the very 

 valuable element, fire, is produced. This play is written in such a way 

 as to make it possible to use Navaho Indians as actors. The great cliff 

 dwelling known as Spruce Tree House, near headquarters, is the stage 

 for the play and flares furnish the lights, as there is no electricity avail 

 able. The actors, the stage, the lighting, and the 

 action of the play itself make this production one of 

 the finest things that has ever been undertaken in a 

 national park. 



Trained guides take the park visitors through 

 the principal ruins and explain to them the life and 

 customs and industries of the builders of these great 

 structures who thrived for centuries, then disap-l, 

 peared from the face of the earth. Mesa Verde Park 



