530 SKETCH OF THE NAVUOS. 



They entertain great dread of the whites, whose power to do them harm 

 they have learned on several occasioDs by bitter experience. These pain- 

 ful lessons have generally been inculcated as follows : impelled by hunger, 

 these miserable creatures have sometimes attempted to kill the animals of 

 trapping parties ; and the trappers, in order to prevent a repetition of such 

 occurrences, have been accustomed to siioot down their rude assailants 

 without mercy. 



Since the practice of this summary mode of chastisement has ob- 

 tained, those able to run will flee with the utmost consternation on the 

 approach of a party of whites, — leaving the feeble and infirm in the rear, 

 who employ their most piteous supplications and moving entreaties fer 

 mercy. 



Thes eindians possess a capacity for improvement, whenever circumstan- 

 ces favor them. I have seen several, both of men and women, taken from 

 among them while young, who, under proper instruction, had made rapid 

 progress, and even disclosed a superiority of intellect, compared with like 

 examples from other nations, — a fact contributing much to prove that man- 

 kind Heed only to be placed in like conditions by birth and education to 

 stand upon the same common level. 



Most of them are represented as inoffensive in their habits and charac- 

 ter, — never going to war, and rarely molesting any one that passes through 

 their country. 



Their arms are clubs, with small bows and arrows made of reeds- 

 affording but a poor show of resistance to rifles, and a dozen moun- 

 taineers are rendered equal to a full army of such solders. 



The Navijos occupy the country between the del Norte and the 

 Sierra Anahuac, situated upon the Rio Chama and Puerco, — from 

 thence extending along the Si-rra de los Mimbros, into the province 

 ofSonora. 



They are a division of the ancient Mexicans ; hat have never yet fullj 

 succumbed to Spanish domination, and still liiainiain against the con 

 querors of their country an obstinate and uncompromising warfare. 



Like their ancestors, they possess a civilization of their own. Mos 

 of them live in houses built of stone, and cultivate the ground, — raising 

 vegetables and grain for a subsistence. They also grow large quanti 

 ties of horses, cattle, and sheep — make bu ter and cheese, and spin an^ 

 weave 



The blankets manufactured by these Indians are superior in beaut} 

 of color, texture, and durability, to the fabri -s of their Spanish nf;igh 

 bors. I have frequ'Mitly seen tliem so closely woven as to be imper 

 vious to water, and even serve for its transportation. 



The internal regulations of this tribe are represenied, by those inor< 

 intimately acquainted with them, as in strict accordance with the wel- 

 fare of the Avhole community. Lewdness is punished by a])ublic expo- 

 sure of the culprit ; dishonesty is held in check by suitable regulations , 

 industry is encouraged by general consent, and hospitality by common 

 practice. 



In their warfare with the Spaniards, they frequently exhibit a 

 strange mixture of humanity and ludicrous barbarity. 



