166 NEW TExiCKS IN NOETH AMEEICA. 



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lowered down into tlie seething flood ; then the waves abated, 

 and the remnant of the people were saved. The young man 

 and the maiden were transformed into two lofty pillars of 

 stone, which rise from a natni'al battlement on one part of the 

 summit* Time has worn these two pillars into four. They 

 are still greatly venerated by the people of Zufii. 



After building a town on the lofty mesa, they lived there 

 for many years ; but as it was far removed from their fertile 

 bottom-landSj and as no second flood visited their countryj 

 they returned to their present abode. When the Spaniards, I 

 however, made war against them, they fled for a second time 

 to their ancient stronghold, and, according to their own 

 account, made a fierce resistance, by fortifying the only two 

 approaches by which the summit could be gained, and by 

 hurling huge stones upon their assailants ; the enemy, how- * 



ever, was victorious, 



Spanisli influence was never strong enougli at Zuiii to 

 convert tlic natives to Clnistianity ; they tolerated tlie presence 

 of a cliurch outside the walls of the puehlo (now a ruin), hut 

 they still cling devotedly to their old traditions, and attribute 

 their temporal prosperity, and the comparative immunity of 

 their country from di-ought, to the steadfast observance of 

 their ancient ceremonies. They believe in the one grt^at 

 Spirit, and in Montezuma his son, who will some day come 

 again to them fi'om the east, and unite all the nations once 

 more under his banner. 



Our party found the people af Zuni to be very honest, but 

 uncommonly sharp traders, so much so that they had the 

 greatest difficulty in buying any sheep from them, although 

 they had flocks in abundance ; they parted with theii* maize 

 and farm produce much more readily, but they understood the 

 value of everything so thoroughly that they always insisted 



