222 
CAVE AND CLIFF DWELLERS . 
steeper. When we reached the top of 
one peak we would immediately begin 
the zigzag descent, then climb up another 
and down again. Sometimes the trail 
wound over a bald, rocky peak, where 
steps by long years of use had been worn 
deep in the soft rock ; and into these little 
places the mules would carefully place 
their feet, there really being no other foot¬ 
hold for them. Again there would be a 
chain of gigantic stairs leading down 
some steep mountain side, where one 
could look hundreds of feet, and see tall 
trees that from such an elevation re¬ 
sembled small shrubs. The nimble and 
sure-footed animals would place all four 
feet together and jump down from one 
step to another, oftentimes more than 
their own height, so that one felt sure of 
being sent flying over the cliff. Again, 
