CHAPTER IX. 
From Zuni to the Little Colorado. 
Council of Caciques.—Offers of guides and assistance.—Mexican deserter.—Ancient manuscripts.—Cultivation of corn.—Depart¬ 
ure from Zuni.—Jacob’s well.—Estimates of population.—Navajo spring.—Messengers to Moqui.—Carriso creek.—Lithodendron 
creek.—Petrified forest.—Adaptation of the country for raising sheep.—Colorado Chiquito.—Return of Zuni guides.—Accounts 
of the Navajo Indians.—Proposed reconnaissance to San Francisco mountain.—Ruins.—Stampede of the animals.—Arrival of 
Lieut. Tidball and escort from Fort Defiance. 
November 27— Camp 71.—A cold storm commenced last evening, and showers continued 
during the night. About ten this morning the rain ceased, and a party was sent out on Save- 
dra’s route to cut away the low cedars sufficiently to allow the train to follow. 
Arch spring issues from the foot of a red sandstone cliff. Upon the smooth faces of the rock 
are great numbers of hieroglyphics, evidently old, and as much like symbols of connected ideas 
as any we have seen. There is a vaulted recess near the spring which gives name to the place. 
The high table-lands adjoining are covered with ruins. This, at the time of the Spanish con¬ 
quest, must have been another of the seven towns of Cibola. 
At noon the Zuni war chief arrived to inform us that a council upon our affairs had been 
held the preceding night by the caciques and governor. They approved of the objects of our 
expedition, and determined to afford all the aid in their power. They knew of a better route 
to the Colorado Chiquito than that which Savedra proposed, and offered to send guides to 
show it to us. Ho recompense was asked. This illustrates a trait in Indian character—to 
act with deliberation, and not from impulse. 
November 28— Camp 72.—The Indian guides arrived, according to promise, to pilot us by the 
new route to Rio Colorado Chiquito, and the train turned back, by their direction, to follow a 
short distance the Zuni river. Last night a Mexican herder deserted, and as the survey was 
being retraced, we returned to Zuni in search of him. 
We could not well spare his services ; and, besides, should he escape, his example might be 
followed by others. No trace of him could be found till the governor was requested to search 
the town. The church-bells were sounded, and the chiefs of police then passed through the 
streets proclaiming the order. The fugitive was soon dragged from his hiding-place, and sent 
under escort to the train, where he was delivered to the safe-keeping of the guard. The 
promptness and success with which the governor performed the duties of his office, spoke well 
for his power of maintaining discipline among the people. Having heard that some curious 
manuscripts were in possession of the chief cacique, we went to his house to see them. Climb¬ 
ing a ladder, we entered a comfortable room where the old man and his family were seated by 
a fire. The papers were sent for, and after a long delay brought in by a very good-looking 
boy about twelve years old, with auburn hair, blue eyes, and a fair complexion. He was a son 
of the cacique, and claimed to be of pure Indian blood. Glancing at the manuscripts, they 
were found to contain a correspondence between the governor of New Mexico and certain priests 
that had officiated at Zuni. One was dated 1757. The old man declined giving them to us, 
saying, that a long time ago they had been found in a corner of the old church, and had since 
been handed down from generation to generation, till now they were considered as insignia of 
the cacique’s office. Besides, they were sacred, and to part with them would bring evil upon 
the pueblo. He consented that they might be copied, but time for that could not be spared, as 
it was necessary to join the train. 
