98 
YAMPAIS.—CONTINUATION OF THE RECONNAISSANCE.—CACTUS PASS. 
ba-pais.” They were broad-facecl fellows, with Roman noses and small eyes, somewhat in 
appearance like the Dieginos of California. The language also seemed to resemble theirs. The 
first word they uttered, “hanna,” meaning good, was recognised by us as an old acquaintance, 
learned several years ago from the mission Indians at San Diego. Two other words—“n’yatz,” 
I; and “pook,” beads —werealso familiar as the language of the Cuchans, (“Yumas,”) and of 
the Coco Maricopas. Their hair was rudely clipped in front to hang over the forehead, in the 
fashion of the Gila and Colorado Indians. Their hack hair hung down nearly to the waist, 
and was hound with variegated belts of Pima manufacture; a custom which prevails, hut is not 
universal, among all the tribes that trim in front. For costume, our friends were not remark¬ 
ably distinguished. The breech-clout was, of course, the principal item. Besides, one had a 
blue woollen shirt, and the other a Navajo blanket, which they said were obtained from the 
Moquis. Their moccasins were of buckskin, of home manufacture, and one had leggins made 
from the skin of a mountain sheep. He had, also, a skin quiver, upon which the soft hair of 
that animal still remained. Upon his neck he wore strings of white and blue beads, which he 
said were obtained from Mojaves. Both had their faces painted with red ochre, such as we saw 
yesterday ground upon a metate. Although there seems to be considerable evidence that the 
Yampais are allied to, and form a sort of connecting link between the Gila, Colorado, and 
Pueblo Indians, they do not possess the fine muscular development and intelligence generally 
exhibited among those nations, or else the specimens we have seen are not fair samples of their 
tribe. As this question seemed an interesting one, we wished to obtain further data upon 
which to decide it. But before attempting to puzzle them with signs, for a vocabulary of Yam¬ 
pais literature, we endeavored to tame them somewhat by presents of trinkets and tobacco, and 
an invitation to camp. We therefore laughed at their forcibly expressed fears lest we might 
entice them into our power for the purpose of knocking them upon the head, and left them. 
As we expected, when they saw themselves free to act their pleasure, they followed us. 
Having eaten, and received a present of a blanket apiece, they were in excellent humor, and 
allowed us to purchase their best bow and a quiver of beautiful arrows. The bow was of cedar, 
strung with sinews. The arrows were made of reeds, fledged with feathers, tipped with a 
wooden stem, and pointed with a head of stone. Some were of white quartz or agate, and 
others of obsidian; all exquisitely cut and well finished. As lapidarians, these Yampais would 
seem to excel other tribes. Our mules being now saddled, the Indians offered to conduct us to 
water, of which they thought we had need. They led very cheerfully to the side of the 
mountain, where was a spring with a slightly sulphurous taste; and, near by, a stream trickling 
through willows in a rocky ravine. A short distance below, it passed beneath the coarse 
gravelly soil. This service done, our new friends took leave in great haste, promising to see 
us again. Having watered our mulada, we travelled five miles east-northeast up a dry arroyo, 
to its head; and thence climbed a steep ridge several hundred feet high, to the lowest summit 
we could find, north of the pass which White Cliff creek makes through Aquarius mountains. 
Thence we could look eastwardly over a great plain to Cross mountain, near which, upon Bill 
Williams’ fork, the main party was awaiting our signals. The gentle slope towards th east 
afforded a stream which turned southerly, forming one branch of White Cliff creek. The 
descent by it appeared gradual and without a formidable canon. Hence, it may be inferred 
that there is no obstacle to prevent the construction of a road, with a regular grade, to the point 
where we left that stream yesterday. But, as we have seen, there are rough and rocky places 
in the ravine which would make the passage difficult for wagons. Therefore, we will await the 
train here, and take it over the higher ridge and down the steep descent, to pursue the route 
by which we have returned. From the peculiar vegetation of this place, we piopose to give it 
the characteristic name of Cactus Pass. Having found a bivouac among the cedars, we made 
signal smokes, and then despatched a guide to meet the train. The weather continues warm 
and pleasant. 
January 30.—Indian signal-fires were seen this morning towards the west. The hill near 
