CHAPTER XXI. 
THE ASH-O-CHEMI. 
Probably this tribe would be more readily recognized under the Span- 
ish name of Wappo. The Spaniards never forgot the keen and stinging 
defeat inflicted by old Colorado upon them under the lead of General M. 
G. Vallejo; and they embodied the qualities which worsted them in a 
name which the Ashochimi use yet in preference to their own—Wappo the 
Unconquerable. Although the battle-ground between them and the Span- 
iards was on the edge of Big Plains, northeast of Healdsburg, their ancient 
proper home was in the mountains. They ranged from the Geysers to the 
Calistoga Hot Springs, inclusive, and in Knight’s Valley; and holding thus 
two of the great natural wonders of the State they disputed for their pos- 
session more heroically than did even the famous tribe of Yosemite. 
The Geysers were discovered by means of one of their well-worn 
trails; and they were early aware of the healing virtues of the Calistoga 
waters. Their invalids were accustomed to wallow in the hot, steaming 
mud and pools, receiving benefit therefrom into their bodies. 
There is an ancient tradition that the Wappos were once at war with 
their neighbors, and were by the latter hemmed in and straitly besieged in 
the head of Calistoga Valley. They were at last so sore pressed with hun- 
* ger that they were fain to resort to cannibalism, and stripping off the flesh 
of their companions who died or were slain they boiled it in the springs. 
From this horrid use arose the name Carne Humana sometimes given to 
this celebrated spa by the early Spaniards. The Indians of to-day know 
nothing of this story. 
After the Spanish conquest had decimated and enervated their lowland 
neighbors, the Gallinomero, the yet untainted Wappo descended from their 
mountain homes upon them, and worsted them in a pitched battle. The 
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