230 , SKETCH OF THE NAVUOS. 



They entertain great dread of the whites, wlxosc powpr to do them harm 

 they have learned on several occasions by bitter experience. T>haso nain- 

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

 tliese 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 shoot d;>v,'n tiieir riide assailants 

 without mercy. 



Since tlie practice of this summary mode of chastisement lias 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 for 

 raercy. 



Thes eindians possess a capacity for improvement, whenever circu\nstan- 

 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 birtli 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 })Oor 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 dc los Minibros, into the province 

 of Sonora. 



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

 succumbed to Spanish domination, and still niaintain against the con 

 querors of their country an obstinate and uncouipromising warfare. 



Like tiseir ancestors, they possess a civiUzation of their own. Mo» 

 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 inanuf^ctureJ by these Indians are superior in beautj 

 of color, texture, and durability, (o the f ibri s of their Spanish n^igh 

 bors. I have frequently seen them so closely woven a.=- to be imper 

 vious to water, and even serve lor its transportation. 



The internal regulation : of this tribe are represenied, by those mor« 

 intimately acquaimed with them, as in strict accordance wi;h the wel- 

 fare of the whole community. Lewdness is punished by a public 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 

 etrange mixture of humanity and ludicrous barbarity. 



