126 MOQUIS TO FORT DEFIANCE—HABITS AND CHARACTER OF MOQUIS. 
gave out, and became unable to proceed. It was cloudy andcool. They had had rest, tolerable 
grazing, and water during the previous day and night, but it was evident that their strength 
was gone. 
There were no indications of water ahead. The country could be seen for a great distance, 
and, as far as the eye could reach, exhibited only line after line of arid mesas. Ina ravine, 
not far from camp, appeared to be the watering place spoken of by the Moquis. Water had 
recently existed there, but there was none to be found now. 
To fully test the practicability of proceeding further, and at the same time to avoid what 
might be an unnecessary march of the whole train northwards, two experienced water hunters, 
mounted on the least broken down mules, rode ahead to explore. If they found water they 
were to send up a smoke as a signal for the train to advance. They travelled about twenty 
miles, finding a deserted Indian encampment, where water had been at some seasons, but which 
was then perfectly dry. From the point where they halted, on the summit of a lofty plateau, 
the country could be overlooked for fifty or sixty miles, and there was every indication that it 
was a waterless desert. 
There was no alternative but to return; and the next morning we retraced our way and 
encamped near the northern Oraybe parduue at the edge of the lerge valley. We have 
remained here for a day to let the mules rest and graze before undertaking the trip to Fort 
Defiance. As it is, we half anticipate reaching that place on foot. 
The Oraybe chief, gratified at the fulfilment of his prediction in regard to the impracticability 
of the trip northward, has been to visit us, and comported himself with much amiability. 
He told me that he would send a guide to show us the best route to Fort Defiance, and I 
accordingly regaled him with the best the camp afforded. He ate till he could eat no more, 
and then stowed away what was lelft in the folds of his blanket. 
Several of the tribe have been working in the gardens and tending the sheep during the day. 
In the former labor the women as well as the men assist. The walls of the terraces and the 
gardens themselves are kept in good order and preservation. The stone and earth for con- 
struction and repairs they carry in blankets upon their shoulders from the valley below. The 
soil is of a poor character, and the amount which they extract from it speaks well for their 
perseverance and industry. Both turkeys and chickens have been seen in the pueblos. They 
have the material for excellent subsistence if they choose to avail themselves of it. 
In the neighborhood are beds of coal, which Dr. Newberry thinks of a character to burn well, 
but they appear to have no idea of the value of these deposits, although wood for culinary and 
other purposes has to be transported from a distance of several miles. We have tried, but with 
doubtful success, to make them comprehend the worth of the fuel close at hand. 
Camp 98, near Tegua, May 17.—Climbing the bluff south of camp and descending the opposite 
side of the mesa, we were joined by the promised Moquis guide, who came up, according to 
what appears an invariable custom, at the last moment and in a great hurry. 
When the place was reached where the trail turned west to go to Oraybe, I asked the guide 
if he could not take a short eut to Tegua, (the most eastern pueblo,) which the Moquis chief 
had said was on the trail to Fort Defiance. He said that he could, and struck off toward the 
east. In ascending a mesa, five or six miles beyond, an almost impassable precipice was eD- 
countered, but the mules, after sundry falls, succeeded in reaching the summit. Beyond was @ 
valley nine or ten miles wide, and upon the opposite side a plateau with three Moquis towns 
standing in a line upon the top. We camped three miles from them; sending the mules to their 
reservoir for water. The valley was well covered with grass. Large flocks of sheep attested 
the wealth of the citizens of this department of Moquis. Almost the entire population came to 
_ gee us, evincing the greatest curiosity at everything they witnessed. In dress and general 
_ appearance they have a smarter look than the citizens of the other towns, and seem to be more 
_ well-to-do in the world. All the Moquis have small hands and feet, but ordinary figures. Their 
