40 
CAVE AND CLIFF DWELLERS. 
They number here a few hundred 
families, a mere fraction in view of all 
the available land of the magnificent val¬ 
leys of the Casas Grandes, Boca Grande, 
Santa Maria, and others ; and they never 
will predominate politically or in num¬ 
bers over the other inhabitants if we 
include the Mexican population, which 
is almost universally Catholic. In fact, 
those already established seem content 
merely to settle down and be let alone ; 
this end they attain by purchase of tracts 
of land over which they can throw their 
authority and be a little community unto 
themselves, neither disturbing nor wish¬ 
ing to be disturbed by others. 
Their success has already invited the 
more avaricious, but less coldly calcula¬ 
ting Gentile ; and while it is stating it a 
little strong to say there is a “ boom,” 
