568 THE CLIFF VILLAGES OF THE RED ROCK COUNTRY. 



fix the date of the deed at 1700, but that is about all, and we know- 

 little of the event from these sources. Indian traditions concerning it 

 have survived now for two centuries, and each succeeding generation 

 of Mokis has told to its children the tale of Awatobi. From these 

 stories we can learn something of the great tragedy which befell the 

 town of the Bow people two centuries ago. Several variants of this 

 legend of Awatobi are current at Walpi, but I have found that of 

 Saliko, the oldest woman of the Snake family, one of the most com- 

 prehensive. She is particularly cognizant of the legends of events of 

 those stirring times, as her maternal ancestor is claimed to have received 

 from one of the women of Awatobi, who was saved, the badge of chief- 

 taincy of a sacerdotal society, which she inherits. The story of Saliko 

 runs as follows: 



"The chiefs Wiki and Simo, and others, have told you their stories, 

 and surely their ancestors were living here at Walpi when Awatobi 

 was occupied. It was a large village, and many people lived there, and 

 the village chief was called Tapolo, but he was not at peace with his 

 people, and there was quarreling and trouble. Owing to this conflict 

 only a little rain fell, but the land was fertile and fair harvests were 

 still gathered. The Awatobi men were bad (powako, sorcerers). Some- 

 times they went in small bands among the fields of the other villagers 

 and cudgeled any solitary workers they found. If they overtook any 

 woman they ravished her, and they waylaid hunting parties, taking the 

 game, after beating and sometimes killing the hunters. There was 

 considerable trouble in Awatobi, and Tapolo sent to the Oraibi chief 

 asking him to bring his people and kill the evil Awatobeans. The 

 Oraibis came and fought with them, and many were killed on both 

 sides, but the Oraibis were not strong enough to enter the village, and 

 were compelled to withdraw. On his way back, the Oraibi chief stopped 

 at Walpi and talked with the chiefs there. Said he, l I can not tell 

 why Tapolo wants the Oraibis to kill his folks, but we have tried and 

 have not succeeded very well. Even if we did succeed, what benefit 

 would come to us who live too far away to occupy the land ? You Walpi 

 people live close to them and have suffered most at their hands; it is 

 for you to try. 7 While they were talking Tapolo had also come, and 

 it was then decided that other chiefs of all the villages should convene 

 at Walpi to consult. Couriers were sent out, and when all the chiefs 

 had arrived Tapolo declared that his people had become sorcerers 

 (Christians), and hence should all be destroyed. 



"It was then arranged that in four days large bands from all the 

 other villages should prepare themselves, and assemble at a spring not 

 far from Awatobi. A long while before this, when the Spaniards lived 

 there, they had built a wall on the side of the village that needed pro- 

 tection, and in this wall was a great, strong door. Tapolo proposed that 

 the assailants should come before dawn, and he would be at this door 

 ready to admit them, and under this compact he returned to his village. 



