400 Reminiscences of 



over a large area held in terrorism, it is likely that 

 many dark pages of history could have been written 

 of Indian savagery, now forgotten in oblivion, and 

 only attested by the ruins of large community build- 

 ings, the stone watch-towers upon heights, and the 

 deserted habitations of the cliflf-dwellers. 



After the declaration of peace with Mexico in 

 1847 from which the United States acquired its im- 

 mense western domain, the ravages of the Navajos 

 and Apaches were frequent subjects of attention by 

 Congress, and many detachments of troops were 

 required before the Indians could be made to occupy 

 the reservations determined for them. Despite all 

 efforts of the government, it was many years after 

 the Navajos were settled before the various tribes 

 of Apaches were gathered in. 



In making the excursion to the Navajo country, I 

 was accompanied from Santa F6 by my wife and 

 my cousin, Mrs. Wood, also by Captain Slawson and 

 his assistant, and one Meyers, who had induced the 

 trip by representations of valuable copper mines 

 near the Indian reservation, which he claimed to 

 own. There are a great many kinds of people in 

 the world, a description of whose varying peculi- 

 arities would fill many volumes. 



I have described previously the character of Jack 

 Williams, who lived upon the credulity of Bebo. 

 There are many prototypes of Williams, varying 

 more or less according to attending situations, from 

 Williams up to the plausible villains who palm off 

 bogus gold bricks and mines without value. 



There seems to be in mines a fascination to many, 

 which creates a credulity and easy confidence not 



