170 



strangers wlioni they do not understand, and are not inclined to 

 show them favors, much less to trust them with what they consider 

 important secrets that might be used to their disadvantage. It is 

 easy to understand, therefore, Avhy different accounts sometimes 

 disagree. 



The title of " Jloquis" has been applied to this confederacy by its 

 enemies, and signifies the dying race. I understand that they usually 

 speak of themselves as " Ho-jJees *' (our people.) I have referred to 

 them and their kindred, because they are at present supposed to be 

 the last of the once large family of which the Shinumos formed an 

 important part, and because it is from them that the name " Shin- 

 umo " has been learned. They speak of the Shinumos as having 

 occupied the country to the northward, and of having been 

 exceedingly numerous and thrifty. 



The following bit of Moquis history, or tradition, as it may be, 

 which was told me by Jacob Hamblin, a shrewd Mormon, who has 

 spent nearly his Avhole life in intimacy with Indians, and who has 

 visited the Moquis villages at least annually for the last twenty 

 years, is worthy of some attention, as it suggests very good reasons 

 for the mysterious disappearance of the entire Shinumo nation. 



" WTien the Shinumos found themselves enjoying such extreme 

 prosperity they became reckless — grew corrupt ; wickedness spread 

 to an alarming extent. Suddenly, tkere appeared amongst them 

 three emissaries from the sun, who passed from town to town, and 

 house to house, and pronounced a curse on them. Disaster fol- 

 lowed close upon these terrible angels. Crops failed and famine 

 was at hand. A pestilence broke out and carried them off rapidly, 

 until little was left of them excc])t their tenantless habitations." 



This story of famine and pestilence strengthens my idea that 

 they were among the prime agents in the downfall and subsequent 

 obliteration of the race. The Eocky Mountain region, doubtless 

 always exceedingly dry and unfavorable to agriculture, was ren- 

 dered much more so, perhaps, by some great physical changes. The 

 inhabitants, not understanding the science of irrigation, beheld 

 their crops slowly but surely failing every year. The production 

 was not equal to the demand. The inevitable result was famine. 

 By this their hardy constitutions Avere weakened, and the way was 

 prepared for some great epidemic tliat swept away thousands and 



