12 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



least, resolved himself into a ' Pity-the-poor- 

 Indian' effect, and the harmless fin-de-siecle 

 pueblo visits Las Cruces only to perform 

 his sacred all-day dances in front of the 

 Catholic church, and, as unkind rumour 

 hath it, to be plundered of the priests in 

 the name of Mother Church, of course. 



' But,' observed my friend, as she gazed 

 sorrowfully upon once dark skirts and un- 

 recognizable boots, * if you came up on the 

 mesa every day, what would you do about 

 your clothes ?' 



' Hold an auction of my entire Eastern 

 wardrobe at once, and with the proceeds 

 purchase sackcloth,' was my prompt reply. 

 1 A substitute for ashes is provided gratis by 

 the country. But mesa or no mesa, this 

 revolution must take place if we are' to 

 remain in the Arid Belt.' 



* Yes,' sighed my companion, 'and clothes- 

 brushes come too high ; I have worn out one 

 already. 



Down the track from the mountains two 

 bundles of animated sticks were approaching, 

 preceded by a flock of jaunty and inquiring 

 goats. Each bundle was surmounted by the 



