164 Life of a Fossil Hunter 



They had probably been used by the squaws for 

 grinding up acorns and other materials for bread- 

 making. Doubtless a storm of sand had forced the 

 villagers to flee for their lives without giving them 

 time to save even these valuable mortars. 



I found a spring of cold water which had built 

 up a mound of white sand, and from the side of a 

 sandhill I pulled out the back part of a human skull. 

 I could not tell how large the village had been, as it 

 extended into the sandhill. 



I soon found where the ancient arrow-maker had 

 had his shop by the great quantities of cast-off 

 obsidian chips that covered the ground, as well as 

 by the broken and perfect arrow-heads and spear- 

 points, beautifully polished and finished, and the 

 knives, drills, and the like that lay about. I did not 

 find a vestige of anything made of iron. 



Having secured a number of the obsidian points, 

 which I afterwards sent to Cope, I started for camp; 

 but I had delayed too long, and night overtook me 

 before I reached home. My pony and I came near 

 being lost in the desert. I gave him the lines, but I 

 was much worried at not seeing the welcome glow 

 of the camp fire, when I had thought that I must be 

 near my tent. Finally I shouted, and at last heard 

 a faint answer. But even then, owing to my deaf 

 ear, I could not locate the camp, and had to wait 

 until George came up and piloted me in. 



