So with the Mojaves, particularly with the young ladies. 
70 MOJAVE VALLEY—FRIENDLY INTERCOURSE WITH MOJAVES. 
to learn something of the man who could carry his teeth in his hand; which brought to mind an 
amusing recollection of the astonishment with which they had seen a member of the party take 
out and replace one or two false teeth. Cairook spent the whole day with me. I gave him 
plenty to eat, and some tobacco, and made as much of him as possible. He was highly gratified 
at his reception, which he saw added to his importance with the tribe. Like the rest, he 
required satisfying as to the object ef our coming, and desired to know how long we were to 
remain, and where we were next going. As both he and Ireteba are intelligent men, and 
quick of comprehension, I drew, upon the ground, a map of the river and the surrounding 
country, and explained to them our plans, while they interpreted to the others. They seemed, 
for the first time, to clearly understand and feel at ease about the matter. Their countenances 
brightened, and there were frequent exclamations of ‘‘ahotka,’’ (‘‘good.’’) I told Cairook 
what I required of him in regard to the trading for provisions, the rules to be observed by the 
Indians, and the detail of messengers to carry letters to the fort; also that I wanted Ireteba to 
accompany me, and that an additional guide must be selected to go with us when we should 
leave the river. To all of this he gave a ready assent, and delivered a speech upon the subject 
to his people. 
I now gave him some presents, which he forthwith distributed, as José had done, to his 
friends. The disposition of a few desirable articles that could not be divided occasioned him 
some perplexity. He made an earnest speech upon the subject, and at some one’s suggestion 
it was decided to submit the matter to the popular vote. A deafening clamor and hopeless 
confusion was the immediate result of this experiment in universal suffrage, till Cairook, very 
sensibly, threw the objects of strife into the midst of the crowd, to be scrambled for, which 
had the effect, after a fierce momentary tussle, of restoring peace. 
For two days Cairook, at my invitation, travelled upon the steamboat. He was accompanied, 
on the first day, by his wife. She is a nice looking squaw, and I allowed herself and her 
spouse the privilege, accorded to no other Indians, of sitting upon the upper deck. We made 
a good run, meeting with little detention, and they sat in dignified state, and enjoyed the 
admiring gaze of their neighbors, who were assembled in crowds along the banks. From the 
airs that were put on by Madam Cairook in consequence of being the only female thus dis- 
tinguished, I am afraid that the trip turned her head, and that she must have been quite 
unbearable to her friends after she left us. 
As we steamed away from the Mojave villages we passed a conspicuous conical peak, a few 
miles east of the river, which stands almost upon the 35th parallel, opposite the initial point of 
the California boundary. Cairook soon after bid us good bye, and returned home. Ireteba is 
to remain; and unwilling to be entirely bereft of the society of his tribe, has brought along a 
lad of sixteen, by the name of Nah-vah-roo-pa, to keep him company, Since the meeting with 
Cairook, our relations with the Mojaves have been of the most friendly description. They 
have, at every stopping place, brought provisions to trade, and of beans and corn we have now 
an adequate supply. Our original rations will be exhausted in a few days, and I have made 
every exertion to procure some wheat, in order to vary, as much as possible, the fare, but of 
this they have a limited quantity. The little flour they have brought is mixed with corn meal. 
It makes an excellent bread. 
The zoological collections have been largely added to. Fish, squirrels, rabbits, rats, mice, 
lizards, snakes, &c., &c., have been brought in—many of them alive. 
The behavior of the Indians has been orderly, and every evening, 
have retired in a body from camp. Mariano and Capitan are delighted with the pacific rela- 
tions that have been established, and no longer manifest any impatience to return, though, a 
few days ago, they were becoming importunate upon the subject. Capitan is a great favorite 
For several nights he has been absent 
exactly at sunset, they 
Me aaa 
