STEVENSON] INTRODUCTION 17 



of the altar of the old Catholic church were obtained, the enamel 

 finish on the face and limbs of the fig-ures showing much artistic skill. 

 The church objects were in the custody of one ^lauritio. and in order 

 to determine whether the}'^ might be removed a council of religious 

 and civil officers was held. It was finally decided that it would be 

 well to have these objects go with the other Zufii material to the 

 "great house"' (National Museum) in Washington, where they would 

 be preserved. 



While the priests and other high officials favored photographing the 

 ceremonials — in fact, seemed eager to serve the expedition in every 

 way — the populace were so opposed to having their masks and rituals 

 ""carried away on paper/' that it was deemed prudent to make but 

 few ceremonial pictures with the camera, and the altars and masks 

 were sketched in color by the writer without the knowledge of the 

 people. The largest and most valuable collection, especiall v of fetishes 

 and sacred vessels, ever secured from any of the pueblos was made at 

 this time. 



Before the collection was packed, General Ikiell left Fort Wingate 

 for Colorado with his command and most of his transportation facilities 

 to participate in the Ute war. After securing all the available teams 

 in the country, Mr Stevenson found the number inadequate to convey 

 the collections from Zufii to the railroad. To ask for the few teams 

 remaining at Wingate seemed presumptuous, 3'et it was necessary that 

 somethin;! be done to get this material out of the Territory immedi- 

 ately. No one could tell what a day might bring forth in this frontier 

 post, far from the raihvay and without telegraphic communication 

 with the outer world. The Apaches were within striking distance 

 and the Navahos were threatening an outbreak, while ncai-ly the entire 

 command of the military post was absent in Colorado. It was dcc-ided 

 to communicate at once with General Buell and solicit aid. The result 

 was that all the wagons except those in daily use at the garrison were 

 assigned to Mr Stevenson, with a request that the transportatioii of 

 the collection be hastened and- the teams returned at the, earliest 

 possible moment. This generous act Avas profoundly appreciated. 

 Had aid been withheld at this time much of the coll(>ction might never 

 have reached the railroad. 



The whole of the six months devoted to field work in ISTt) was spent 

 at Zufii; and though the writer accompanied Mr Stevenson to the 

 meetings of the various secret organizations, and though her relations 

 with the Indians were of the most cordial nature, she obtained at this 

 time but the merest suggestion of their inner life. 



During 1880 all of the Rio Grande pueblos were visited. Photo- 

 graphs were made at each pueblo, and collections of stone implements, 

 objects associated with the ritual, and pottery were si'cured. In 1881 

 23 ETH— 04 2 



