MOQUIS TO FORT DEFIANCE—NAVAJOES. 127 
hair is fine and glossy. Many have an Italian physiognomy. The men wear loose cotton 
trowsers, and frequently a kind of blouse for an upper garment, over which they throw a blanket. 
The dress of the women is invariably a loose black woollen gown, with a gold-colored stripe 
around the waist and the bottom of the skirt. The stripe is of cotton, which they grow in 
small quantities. The material of the dress is of their own weaving. 
They seem to be a harmless, well-meaning people, industrious at times, though always ready 
for a lounge and gossip. They are honest, so far that they do not steal, but their promises are 
not to be relied upon. They want force of character and the courageous qualities which the 
Zuflians and some other Pueblo Indians have the credit of possessing. Their chiefs exercise a 
good deal of authority, but by what tenure they hold their power, or how many there are, we 
could not learn. 
A singular statement made by the Moquis is, that they do not all speak the same language, 
At Oraybe some of the Indians actually professed to be unable to understand what was said by 
the Mooshahneh chief, and the latter told me that the language of the two towns was different. 
At Tegua they say that a third distinct tongue is spoken. These Indians are identical in race, 
manners, habits, and mode of living. They reside within a circuit of ten miles, and, save for 
the occasional visit of a member of some other tribe, have been for centuries isolated from the 
rest of the world, and it would seem almost incredible that the inhabitants of the different 
pueblos should not preserve a system of intercourse. If what they say is true, it would appear 
that this is not done. Tegua and the two adjacent towns are separated by a few miles from 
Mooshahneh and another pair. Oraybe is at a little greater distance from both. Each place, 
depending upon its internal strength, is independent as regards defence. The people are 
indolent and apathetic, and have abandoned the habit of visiting each other till the languages, 
which, with all Indian tribes, are subject to great mutations, have gradually become dissimilar. 
Camp 99, Peach Orchard spring, May 18.—Passing by the reservoir to water the mules and 
fill the kegs, we were joined by the Teguan chief and several of his friends. The guide 
having disappeared during the night, I asked for him, and was told by the chief that it would 
be unsafe for one or two of them to take the trip alone, but that he himself and nine others 
were going to the fort as soon as they could have some corn ground, and make other prepara- 
tions, and that they would join us at the first watering place, which we would reach about 
noon. There was little doubt in the minds of any who heard this statement that it was a 
wholesale fiction, but he pointed out the direction of the best route to Fort Defiance, and, 
bidding the Moquis good-bye, we followed the course that had been designated. The chief 
accompanied us a short distance, and at parting renewed the assurance that ten of his people 
would overtake us before night. Crossing the valley in a nearly easterly direction, at the foot 
of the bluff upon the opposite side we reached a large and excellent spring about the time our 
* friend had indicated. : : 
The ravine is the prettiest spot seen for many a day, covered with rich turf, shaded by 
peach trees and surrounded by large gooseberry bushes. The water is clear and cold ; the 
trail from Tegua has been plain and deeply cut, showing constant travel. After reaching camp 
two Navajoes rode in upon horses that we had seen yesterday hobbled near the Moquis 
pueblo. I supposed at first that they had stolen them, but a soldier told me that he had seen 
one of the men at Mooshahneh, and that the Moquis had told him that there were two or three 
Navajoes there on a visit. 
That the latter should have the face to go to Moquis so soon after the recent foray speaks 
well for their boldness, but does not indicate much spirit on the part of the others. The two that 
came to see us were merry, impudent looking knaves ; they ate, and smoked, and laughed, and 
finally asked for a glass of liquor as independently as though they were at a tavern. It was 
impossible to put them down: favors or rebuffs made the same or rather no impression ; they 
received all with a grinning indifference that would have been good-natured, had it not been : 
