THE PUEBLO OF TAOS. 



By H. C. Yarrow,* Assistant Surgeon, U. 8. A. 



We were surprised to find that in this pueblo, in lieu of a single estufa, 

 or council-chamber, as is usual in other pueblos, each headman had a pri- 

 vate one of his own, there being five in all. For a small sum of money 

 we were permitted to view the one appertaining to the capitan de la guerra, 

 or war-chief, of the tribe. It was found to be a large circular chamber 

 under ground, the entrance being through a small trap-door on top, sur- 

 rounded by a circular stockade, containing numerous antlers of deer, and 

 having a narrow opening. Descending to the chamber by a ladder, it was 

 found to be probably 25 or 30 feet in diameter, arched above, and about 

 20 feet high ; around the wall, at a height of 2 feet from the ground, was 

 a hard earthen bench. On the floor in the center was an oblong pit, 2 feet 

 deep and nearly 3 feet long. In this, it is said, the sacred fire is kept 

 burning, and we were shown some live embers beneath the ashes. Behind 

 the fire-pit is a sort of altar constructed of clay, in shape similar to the 

 accompanying figure | — rn — | ; the use of this it was impossible to ascertain. 

 From a peculiarly sweet aromatic odor, which seemed to fill the atmosphere 

 of the room, we inferred that probably in their rites sweet-smelling grasses 

 or wood are used as incense. The war-chief informed us that it should be 

 considered a great favor to have been permitted to view the interior of this 

 estufa, as such a favor was seldom shown to an American, a,nd never to 

 Mexicans. 



The government of these Indians, who appear to be ruled by no single 



* Abstract from general itinerary report for field-season of 1874. Annual Report of the Chief of 

 Engineers for 1875. Appendix LL. 



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