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from the church. It is a small structure about 12 by 18 feet, made of 

 poles and covered over with green Cottonwood boughs. Bunches of 

 green corn are laid alongside the walls at the entrance. The inside 

 walls are himg with the nicest Navaho rugs to be foimd. A table is 

 in the rear, ready to receive the samt. Benches are arranged along 

 the walls. The entrance is wide open. 



Many people (Indians only, though I beheve I did see a Mexican 

 once) sell fruit, melons, ice cream, etc., near the plaza during the day. 

 They set up theu- httle stands early in the forenoon. 



The church is opened and made ready for the services. The priest 

 amves about 9.30, but visits with friends for a tune before preparing 

 for Mass. This is the only tune during the year that Mass is held at 

 old Acoma. The chiu'ch is very large. There are no seats; people 

 stand or kneel. 



Church services begin about 10 o'clock. Most of the people attend, 

 although some of the old people do not come. I have seen some of 

 the old people come in some time before the services began, go up 

 to the altar and kneel and pray, and then go out. Whether they 

 were shy about attending the services, or whether they preferred to 

 worship in their own way, or whether they were simply shirking, I 

 could not say. 



The priest, assisted by some Indian boys, conducts Mass. Then 

 he makes a speech in Spanish, which is translated by the governor. 

 He makes announcements, perhaps, and tells the people again why 

 they are honoring San Estevan, and that they should lead good lives, 

 etc. 



Then the saint is taken out of the church. The governor and his 

 lieutenants and the fiscales come in and take the saint from his place 

 at the altar and carry him on a Utter out of the church; all the people 

 fall in behind. When the saint reaches the door a drununer beats a 

 small drum (using two drum sticks; one is always used in the regular 

 Indian ceremonies). When the saint is carried outdoors, several men 

 fire rifles into the air.'* Then the saint is carried all through the 

 village, up one street and down another. As the procession passes 

 points of the mesa, boys fire revolvers into the air. When the circuit 

 of the village is completed the saint is brought to the little bough 

 structure and deposited on the table in the rear. Candles are lighted 

 and placed near by. Women bring in great quantities of bread, 

 melons, and bowls of meat (rabbit or mutton) stew, for the saint. 

 Some old men, the war chiefs, etc., sit on the benches in the house 

 with the saint. 



" I do not know why tbese shots are fired. One mfonnaDt did not know; another said that it was to 

 drive away the bad (witches). 



