'LAW-ABIDINGNESS' IN THE SOUTH-WEST 213 



1 Because in this arid country, with its wide 

 expanses of practically untravelled desert, 

 murderers and other criminals are compelled 

 to return to civilization for water, even if 

 they venture any distance away. Thus, we 

 track them up and catch them. More water- 

 holes, more criminals !' 



4 Notwithstanding these difficulties, there 

 are enough murderers and cattle-thieves to 

 keep you occupied ?' 



His smile responded to mine. Then he 

 added soberly : 



* And there are enough bad men in this 

 section, let me tell you as bad as they 

 make 'em.' 



Taken altogether, the negro is decidedly 

 the intellectual superior of the Mexican, as 

 a man, but not as a woman. Yet, his oft- 

 times malevolent appearance to the contrary 

 notwithstanding, the Mexican is not made of 

 the stuff that lends itself to the commission 

 of great crimes. The enormities which have 

 given to the Black Belt such revolting 

 prominence are in New Mexico conspicuous 

 by their absence. The Mexican is, on the 

 whole, fairly harmless. Everything with 



