64 
EL MORO.—RUINS AND INSCRIPTIONS. 
sandstone with a yellowish tinge, is broken, so as to present at a distance the appearance of 
turrets, like a Moorish castle; from which its Spanish name was derived. Desiring to see the 
ruins upon the top, we walked around the projecting cliff of the eastern face, and at some dis¬ 
tance south found a point where with difficulty we accomplished the ascent. To Simpson’s 
description of this singular place little remains to he added. The walls of the dilapidated 
pueblo, when not concealed by rubbish, bore evidence of having been built with considerable 
skill. In some places they still remain perfect to the height of six or eight feet, vertical, 
straight, and smooth. A pocket-compass placed upon the principal face, gave for its direction 
N. 15° E., which, the magnetic variation being applied, corresponds nearly with the prime 
vertical. I have since found that this observation disagrees with that of Simpson, who repre¬ 
sents it as perpendicular to the magnetic meridian. The masonry is well done, the stones being 
of uniform size, about fourteen inches in length, and six inches wide. The layers are hori¬ 
zontal, and each successive stratum, with some appearance of regularity, breaks joints with 
that below. The beams, whose ends seem broken by a stone axe rather than cut with a sharp 
instrument, are of cedar, in excellent preservation. A piece was procured for a specimen. 
Scattered about in great profusion were fragments of pottery quite similar to those among ruins 
upon the Gfila. Arrow-heads of obsidian were also found in the pueblo, affording another link 
to connect its founders with those who built the Gila cities. East of Rio del Norte, it has 
already been stated that, not an arrow-head of stone nor a piece of painted pottery could be dis¬ 
covered. Here both abound. Upon the opposite side of a deep gorge w T e saw another dilapi¬ 
dated fortress; and, by a detour to the right, climbing like goats, and sliding down the broken 
surface of the rock, we at length found ourselves within it. The walls were rectangular, and 
the one upon the north side—which was near the edge of the precipice—in good preservation, at 
one or two points, to the height of eight feet. Its direction did not correspond to the cardinal 
points. The question arises as to how people could subsist thus upon a naked rock. Two 
pools of water have been discovered at its base, beneath overhanging cliffs. They are doubtless 
springs; and, if freed from the sediment they contain, would afford sufficient water for the ordi¬ 
nary uses of the inhabitants, but none for irrigation. It seems probable, therefore, that they 
were a pastoral people, or that game was abundant, and that they built here for protection from 
powerful tribes of roving Apaches. As we passed the Sierra to-day a light cloud scudded across 
the sky, bearing a momentary squall. It soon passed away, and the weather became delightful 
as before. The nights, however, are cool. New specimens of mistletoe, cactus, and lichens 
were found. Astronomical observations have been made this evening. 
November 19 —Camp 69.—The wind last night blew for a while violently. The morning was 
cold, with a stiff breeze from the west, but the sun’s rays soon created a pleasant temperature. 
Ever since leaving Albuquerque, by day, and frequently at night, there has been a westwardly 
wind. We had expected to find, upon this side of the Sierra, a change in this respect. 
There was a little time, before starting, to examine the inscriptions. We passed by the more 
modern records of Spanish origin, from 1620 to 1136, which have been so well represented by 
Simpson. Many of them are beautifully carved, and though doubtless faithful in their state¬ 
ment of date, seem hut slightly affected by atmospheric action upon the rock. The Indian 
hieroglyphics, which we examined more carefully, are, however, much time-worn and defaced— 
some scarcely traceable. Comparing the freshest of those with Spanish inscriptions dated about 
1690, the obliteration of age upon the former seems at least twice as great as upon the latter. 
The place must have been a ruin since the Spaniards first commenced to record upon the rock 
their passage to and from Zuhi. ' The inscriptions do not refer to it; neither do the relations 
of old Spanish explorers, back to the expedition of Coronado in 1540, describe any such pueblo, 
unless indeed it be included among the seven cities of Cevola. Some of the sculptured hiero¬ 
glyphics are just discernible, almost wiped out by the finger of time. The plainest were copied; 
but, on subsequent comparison, proved identical with those figured by Simpson. 
Upon leaving camp the train passed over a low ridge, which might have been avoided by a 
