RUINS OF ANCIENT PUEBLOS. 
15 
lar to tlie chicliiticale, or red house, above the Pimas, rather than like the Indian towns of New 
Mexico. In other respects, however, Leroux says that they reminded him of the great pueblos 
of the Moquinos. The large stones of which those structures were built, were often transported 
from a great distance. At another place he saw a well-built town and fortification about eight 
or ten miles from the nearest water. He believes that, since they were built, the conformation 
of the country has been changed, so as to convert springs and a fertile soil into a dry and barren 
Avaste. The idea is not a neAv one; Capt. Simpson advances something like it. This conforms 
to the Indian traditions of the Montezuma era, attributing to the high mesas an arable soil ; 
and also partially accounts for the desertion of some of the more recent pueblos of New Mexico. 
Upon the Colorado Chiquito (Flax river) were extensive traces of ancient ruins, some of Avhich 
have been well represented in a report by Captain Sitgreaves. The Cosnino ca\ r es had been plaster¬ 
ed with mortar, showing more artistic skill than is practised by the present occupants of the 
country. At Pueblo creek were found remains of towns and of fortifications croAvning the sur¬ 
rounding heights, and overlooking Aztec Pass there are similar ruins. Westward, doAvn 
Williams river to Eio Colorado and thence to the Pacific, no vestige of such ruins Avas seen. 
Yet means of subsistence are not wanting. There are fertile spots and permanent water in the 
valleys. 
In the vicinity of Williams river, game is abundant; the rocky cliffs and barren-looking hills 
produce maguey plants ; multitudes of the fruit-bearing cereus giganteus and mezquites grow 
in the valley ; affording a sufficient supply of the usual Indian food. The inference, therefore, 
seems to be, that the belt of country previously crossed Avas indeed the track of the ancient 
pueblo builders ; and that, according to tradition, they proceeded from the northwest to the upper 
waters of Rio Colorado. There they divided ; portions ascended by the San Juan, Canon de 
Chelle, or the more easterly branches of that stream, toward the centre of Ncav Mexico ; others, 
passing over to the Avaters of “Rio Verde,” descended its valley to Rio Gfila, and thence con¬ 
tinued, perhaps, to the present city of Mexico. This theory of migration is considered nearly 
obselete, and ought not to be revived, provided another, more probable, may be suggested for 
the desertion of the ruins in the regions referred to. Upon the loAver part of Rio Colorado no 
traces of permanent chvellings have been discovered. The same remark is applicable to Rio 
Gila below the junction of the Salinas, although upon the rocks there are many inscriptions 
similar to those found near Zuni and at Rocky Dell creek. 
The tribe that iioav occupies the region from Pueblo creek to the junction of Rio Verde with 
the Salinas is called Tonto. The word in Spanish signifies stupid , but Mexicans do not apply 
that signification to these Indians ; on the contrary, they consider them rather sharp, particu¬ 
larly at stealing. Therefore, as it is not a term of reproach, we may reasonably suppose that, 
as is frequently the case, it is the Indian name corrupted, perhaps, by Spanish spelling. It is 
a long square, are in some places twenty feet high and three feet thick, and have in many places loop-holes like those of a 
fortress. The walls were as regularly built as those of any building erected by civilized nations ; to judge by the decay of 
the stones, these ruins might be several centuries old, (maybe those of some Montezuma town.) Heaps of broken and 
petrified vessels are strewn in all directions. Near camp are the ruins of another Indian village. Those ruins show that 
this country was once under cultivation; who were its inhabitants, and what became of them, is hard to tell. Road 
hilly, but of easy access everywhere. Grass and water in abundance. 
“May 22.—Camp on San Francisco. Road very hilly, but practicable ; plenty of wood and water. To-day we ascended 
and descended two high mountains (u pied) which looked just like the crossing of the Alps. Our camp is on a ridge of a 
most delightful valley, having the river to our left, gigantic rocky mountains on both sides, and under centenary trees. 
“May 22 and 23.—Camp on San Francisco. Road good, grass plenty, and wood in abundance as well as water. On the 
night of the 22d we had an attack from some Indians, called the Tontos of the Yampais nation. Although a quantity of 
arrows were shot into camp, still neither men nor animals were wounded. 
“May 24.—Camp on a small creek. Left Rio San Francisco this morning. The creek we are camped on runs between two 
chains of very steep and rocky mountains. In the afternoon we crossed a mountain about 1,500 feet high; the crossing 
Avas performed in two hours. 
“The creek we are camped on is a tributary of the Rio San Francisco, and runs into it from the east. Road tolerably 
good, grass plenty, and water and wood in abundance. The district passed over is mostly covered with old ruins.” 
