CAHUILLAS.—INDIAN POPULATION. 
19 
principally upon roots, they are probably distinct from the Diggers of California. We passed 
through one little valley of theirs, at Paiute creek, where wheat and melons had been culti¬ 
vated. Afterward we had another proof of their desire for substantial food. Though shy at 
our approach, they hovered about us at Soda lake, and finally committed the only act of hos¬ 
tility experienced by our party on the route. A herder having lagged behind the train with 
two tired mules, they killed him, and took the animals for food. We were unable to overtake 
and punish them as they deserved. They will scarcely he civil again to small parties of emi¬ 
grants until our troops shall have taught them a salutary lesson. 
From the Mormon road to the base of Sierra Nevada are scattered the wilder portion of the 
Cahuillas, who frequently make depredations upon the frontier ranchos of California. They 
do not appear to he numerous, and probably do not exceed 500 in number. Formerly all of this 
tribe belonged to the California missions. Since the decadence of those institutions, they have 
been peons upon the ranchos, where many yet remain. It is not surprising that some prefer 
to return to their primitive mode of life among the mountains, rather than submit to unmiti¬ 
gated degradation amidst a civilized race. 
General summary of the Indian population in the region contiguous to the route. 
Semi-civilized, bordering the Canadian river 
Rude “ “ “ . 
Barbarous “ “ “ 
Pueblo Indians of New Mexico.. 
Navajos...... 
Moquinos........... 
Pinal Lenas and Coyoteros... 
Tontos, Cosninos, and Yampais............ 
Mojaves, Chemehuevis, and Cuchans.. 
Pai-utes, near Soda lake.. 
Cahuillas of the mountains. 
62,000 
2,100 
30,000 
15,300 
10,000 
6,720 
3,000 
6,000 
8,500 
300 
500 
Total 
144,420 
