CHAPTEB XXVII, 



A Fight Irrataba A Case of Possession The Body Guard The Harvest 

 Full-Moon Dance Mescal Wild Orgies. 



THE Mojaves are a brave people, and a reliable. They 

 made a fair square stand-up fight for their country, when 

 they thought it was invaded ; and when thrashed, not only 

 came to terms like men, but have ever since faithfully kept 

 the treaty they then entered into, neither murdering, thieving, 

 nor molesting person or thing. 



I have had an account given me of what they call " The 

 Great Battle," by Irrataba, the chief who commanded the 

 Indians at the time, and also by an officer who served with 

 the troops ; and the relations being substantially the same 

 and both my informants credible men, I do not hesitate to 

 repeat it here. 



The troops infantry with a few cavalry scouts were 

 not sent into the upper bottoms of the Colorado with any 

 hostile intent, but to locate and construct a post on the 

 river, at which supplies for the use of the military force in 

 the interior could be landed ; in fact, to establish a depot 

 and distributing point for the military district. This the 



