72 
FERTILITY OF ZUNI VALLEY.—JACOB’S WELL.—MOQUI COUNTRY. 
We descended the valley of Zuni a league, and then, turning from the river, entered a wide 
and fertile ravine which led westward to our present camp, about twelve miles from the puehlo. 
Lieut. Jones had encamped thus early in order to allow the mules to he driven hack to the Rio 
Zuni for water. The grass is excellent throughout the valley, and even upon the mesas and 
hill-sides adjoining. Upon each side are quite extensive forests of small cedars and piiions. 
As an indication of the fertility of the Zuni country, it may he mentioned that the corn pro¬ 
duced there by Indians without the labor of irrigation is sufficient not only to support a large 
population, hut to supply Fort Defiance. Besides, we have been furnished with seven or eight 
hundred bushels, and there still seems to be plenty remaining in town. 
Jose Maria, Juan Septimo, and Jose Hacha, were the guides sent to us by the caciques. 
They described the country to the Colorado Chiquito as being nearly a level plain, with springs 
of permanent water at convenient distances. This is their hunting ground. Of the country 
west of that river they know nothing. Moqui Indians are, however, supposed to have a knowl¬ 
edge of the region, and we intend to seek among them for a guide. Jose and Juan are to go 
as hearers of despatches to the Moqui nation, with the understanding that, after having accom¬ 
plished their mission, they will report to us upon the Colorado Chiquito. 
We have now passed through the ancient country of Cibola, described by Marco de Nica in 
1539, and by Vasquez de Coronado in 1540. We have seen much to verify the accuracy of their 
journals. The relation of Coronado regarding the j>eople of Cibola is for the most part ap¬ 
plicable to the Zunians of the present day. The city which he calls Grranada is Zuni itself. 
The astronomical observations to-night have been rendered less satisfactory than usual, 
by the condensation of moisture upon the artificial horizon. This is the first time dew has been 
observed since leaving Albuquerque. 
November 29 —Camp 73.—This morning, Captain Iver, the sutler at Fort Defiance, who had 
accompanied our party thus far, took leave of us. He returns to Albuquerque, doing us the 
favor to forward our letters for the States. We have now broken away from all communication 
with the civilized world ; and, for the first time upon the trip, have entered a region over which 
no white man is supposed to have passed. Rising gradually to the plain, we traversed a country 
moderately level to the crest of a sandstone ridge, where we abruptly descended some forty feet. 
Thence, with a gradual fall of nearly four hundred feet in six miles, we entered a fine large 
valley, and encamped at Jacob’s well. The Indian name for it is “ Wah-nuk-ai-tin-ai-e.” 
This spring is a curiosity. In the midst of the valley, which resembles several we have passed 
during the day, is a conical pit, about three hundred feet wide at top, and one hundred and 
twenty-five feet deep. At bottom lies the pool of water, some thirty yards in diameter, and 
apparently quite deep. It is bordered by a fringe of tall rushes. An old and well beaten path 
leads spirally along the side of the tunnel down to the water. Navajo trails radiate from it 
in various directions. We are now twenty-thee miles from the last watering place on Rio de 
Zuni, and the firm road seems to the eye, except at the previously mentioned sandstone ridge, 
nearly level. The soil passed over is good, and grass abundant. On each side extensive 
thickets of cedar may furnish a plentiful supply of fuel. Water could probably be obtained at 
various points we have passed by sinking common wells to the depth of about one hundred and 
thirty feet. A finer grazing country could scarcely be desired. Grrama-grass is luxuriant and 
nutritious during the whole year. The climate is excellent. For raising cattle and sheep, and 
producing wool, this region seems peculiarly adapted. 
To-morrow, Jose Maria and Juan Septimo leave our trail, and proceed to Moqui. At our 
request they traced a sketch of the Moqui country and the route they propose to travel. They 
say that the population of the seven towns of Moqui has been greatly diminished lately, and 
now is about the same as that of Zuni; that is, according to our previous estimate, 2,000 per¬ 
sons. But it is a difficult matter to determine satisfactorily the pop illation of an Indian pueblo, 
without an examination more minute than would have been agreeable to us in Zuni during 
the prevalence of the smallpox. The houses are so piled upon each other that they cannot be 
