196 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



salutations, they rode up to the house of an old mountaineer, who 

 had long been settled here with a New Mexican wife, and who 

 was the recognized entertainer of the hunters when they visited 

 Taos valley, receiving in exchange such peltry as they brought 

 with them. 



No sooner was it known that Los Americanos had arrived, than 

 nearly all the householders of Fernandez presented themselves to 

 oiler the use of their "salas" for the fandango which invariably 

 celebrated their arrival. This was always a profitable event ; for as 

 the mountaineers were generally pretty well "flush" of cash when 

 on their "spree," and as open-handed as an Indian could wish, the 

 sale of whiskey, with which they regaled all comers, produced a 

 handsome return to the fortunate individual whose room was se- 

 lected for the fandango. On this occasion the sala of the Alcalde 

 Don Cornelio Vegil was selected and put in order ; a general invi- 

 tation was distributed ; and all the dusky beauties of Fernandez 

 were soon engaged in arraying themselves for the fete. Off came 

 the coats of dirt and "alegria" which had bedaubed their faces 

 since the last "funcion," leaving their cheeks clear and clean. 

 Water was profusely used, and their cuerpos were doubtless aston- 

 ished by the unusual lavation. Their long black hair was Avashed 

 and combed, plastered behind their ears, and plaited into a long 

 queue, which hung down their backs. Enaguas of gaudy color, 

 (red most affected) were donned, fastened round the waist with or- 

 namented belts, and above this a snow white camisita of fine linen 

 was the only covering, allowing a prodigal display of their charms. 

 Gold and silver ornaments, of antiquated pattern, decorate their 

 ears and necks ; and massive crosses of the precious metals, 

 wrought from the gold or silver of their own placeres, hang pen- 

 dent on their breasts. The enagua or petticoat, reaching about 

 half-way between the knee and ankle, displays their well-turned 

 limbs, destitute of stockings, and their tiny feet, thrust into quaint 

 little shoes {zapatitos) of Cinderellan dimensions. Thus equipped, 



