194 CAVE AND CUFF DWELLERS. 
the return of Montezuma some day, all 
are to a great extent independent of the 
Mexican Government, much more than 
are any of the peaceable Indians of the 
United States from our own government, 
unless it be a few almost unknown tribes 
in the interior of Alaska. If a Tara- 
humari commits a crime against, or does 
an injury to, a Mexican or foreigner, the 
Mexican Government takes notice of it 
and tries to punish the offender; but be¬ 
tween themselves, except in a few cases 
of flagrant murder, they can conduct all 
administration of justice, as well as other 
matters, wholly by officers of their own 
selection and by their own codes and cus¬ 
toms. The very wild ones—the cliff and 
cave dwellers—know nothing of Mexican 
affairs, and in fact fly from all white 
people like so many quails when they 
