NAVAJO INDIANS.—LITHODENDRON CREEK. 
73 
counted, nor does any one seem to know how many families occupy the same dwelling. Different 
authors, therefore, vary in their estimates for this place from 1,000 to 6,000 persons. Mexicans 
say that in joining them in expeditions against the Navajoes, there have been known to turn 
out 1,000 warriors. Leroux agrees with me that this is doubtless an exaggeration. Navajoes 
are said to he more numerous. Jose Haclia thinks they number five to one of the Zunians. 
Gregg and Simpson estimate their number from 8,000 to 10,000; hut by Leroux’s standard 
there are less than 1,000 warriors, and not more than 5,000 persons in all. Speaking of Nava- 
joes reminded our Zunian warriors of their battles, which they recounted with great spirit. 
Five years ago their pueblo was threatened by a large body of Navajoes from the east. The 
Zunians met them at the ranchos near our Camp 69, and fought from sunrise to near sunset. 
But the crafty enemy had laid a snare to destroy the pueblo, and while the braves were engaged 
at a distance, a stronger force approached by the Moqui trail, thinking to enter the town with¬ 
out resistance. But our war-chief told us, with pride, that the women and children successfully 
defended their homes until the return of the men at night. 
November 30 —Camp 74.—Leaving Jacob’s well, we proceeded about 5° north of west, eight 
miles to Navajo spring, a fine pool of water which breaks out at the surface of a valley. The 
Indian guide had no trail to follow, hut pursued a course so straight as to pass over several 
small ridges that might as well have been avoided by a very slight detour to the right. But 
the country was good, and the road for w r agons excellent. Two of the guides left, as was 
arranged, this morning, to convey our message to the caciques of Moqui. They seemed highly 
impressed with the importance of their mission, and it is hoped that they may succeed in obtain - 
ing for us a guide. At camp are relics of extensive ruins. Pottery, painted in stripes, broken 
into very small fragments, and much decayed, is strewn about tbe spring. Upon the first hill 
is a circular depression, forty paces in diameter, like one seen last year at the junction of Kio 
San Pedro with Rio Gila. Around it are pieces of glazed pottery, and arrow-heads of obsidian, 
agate, and jasper. The structures were probably of adobes, which would be likely to leave 
only faint traces of their existence. 
At sunset a smoke was seen in the distance, and, soon after, two Navajo Indians rode into 
camp. They said they were hunters from the Canon de Chelly ; but, learning that we were 
lately from Zuni, they were afraid of taking the smallpox, and soon left. 
December 1 —Camp 75.—The first day of winter opened bright, with an elastic exhilarating 
air, though it was the coldest morning we have had. Since leaving the base of Sierra Madre, 
disagreeable winds have ceased to annoy us ; the atmosphere has generally been clear, and the 
temperature charming during the latter part of the day and in the evening. 
Our course has been nearly west. Five miles from Navajo springs we crossed the wide valley 
of Rio Puerco of the west, and an arroyo dry except in pools. Thence, passing another ravine 
and prairie ,we entered the valley of Carriso creek ; where, twelve miles from our last camp, we 
halted. The bed of the river contains pools, but the water does not flow above the surface. 
The road has crossed two prairie ridges about one hundred and thirty feet above the sandy bed 
of the arroyo. By deflecting the course they may be passed with light grades. Thus far we 
are agreeably impressed with the character of the country on the Pacific slope of Sierra 
Madre. We have not yet encountered waterless deserts such as have been supposed to exist in 
this region. The distant peaks of Jemez, northeast, and of Sierra Mogoyon, south, appear to 
be tipped with snow. There are no indications of a cold climate elsewhere within view. 
December 2 —Camp 76.—Leaving Carriso creek we proceeded nearly west, over a prairie inter¬ 
sected by open valleys from the northeast, to bluffs bounding Lithodendron creek. Here the 
steep sandstone rocks were difficult to descend, and the ascent westward looked still more formi¬ 
dable. We therefore turned towards the south, and after following the mesa about five miles 
encamped upon the ridge separating two valleys; Lithodendron upon the right, and a smaller 
valley a short distance to the left. The banks of Lithodendron creek are forty feet in height, 
and composed of red sandy marl. The width between the bluffs seems nearly a mile. The 
10 h 
