36 
CEREMONIES AND TRADITIONS. 
same idea. They have an unwavering confidence in the Good Spirit, and believe that, however 
great may he the disproportion in numbers or strength, if He be on their side, they are sure to 
be successful. If defeated, they say “ He was angry with us, and this is a punishment for some 
offence.” They have yearly gatherings to light ther sacred fires. They build a large collection 
of huts, and sit crowded about them, taking medicine for purification, and fasting for seven days. 
Those who can endure to keep the fast unbroken, are rendered sacred in the eyes of the rest. 
While the ceremony lasts, a perfect silence reigns. Ho word is spoken. When the “ spirit 
moves,” they rise and dance until exhausted, then again sit quietly upon the ground to com¬ 
mune with their own thoughts. 
The custom of fasting is practised by all the tribes of this region. With Cherokees it is the 
prevailing mode of purification, and an abstinence of seven days renders the devotee famous. 
Seven is a magic number. The tribe is divided into seven clans. The seventh son is necessarily 
a prophet, and has the gift of healing by touch. A deserted Comanche camp on Shady creek, 
(rudely represented in plate 27,) gave evidence of superstitious rites and Indian offerings, in 
corroboration of many of the customs above mentioned. 
At camp 42, upon the Canadian, near the Llano Estacado, were seen Pueblo Indians from 
San Domingo. After an introductory smoke, they became quite communicative, furnishing a 
vocabulary of their language, and much curious information as to their traditions and peculiar 
faith. They are Tiguex ; or, according to their own language, “ Ki-o-wum-mi,” which, by 
referring to the vocabulary, is found to denote two. When questioned regarding the number 
and positions of the pueblos in Hew Mexico, they rudely traced upon the ground a sketch, 
which is represented in chapter i. 
According to tradition, this tribe first appeared at Shipap, the northwest source of Rio del 
Horte. Whence they came is not known. They were wandering without fixed abodes, and 
sought shelter among canons of the river, in caves which yet remain. They sojourned awhile 
at Acoti, the birth-place of Montezuma, who became leader and guide of the subsequent 
migration. He taught them to build pueblos, with lofty houses and estufas, and to kindle 
sacred fires, to be guarded by priests. Taos was the first pueblo he established ; and from 
thence lie proceeded southward, forming settlements in the order of succession named upon the 
map. Acoma was strongly built, and fortified by him. Pecos was one of the principal towns 
and, while here, Montezuma took a tall tree, and planted it in an inverted position, saying that 
when he should disappear, a foreign race would rule over his people, and there would be 
no rain. But he commanded them to watch the sacred fire till that tree should fqjl, at which 
time white men would pour into the land from the east, to overthrow their oppressors, and he- 
himself would return to build up his kingdom. The earth would again be fertilized by rain, 
and the mountains yield treasures of silver and gold. From Pecos, which—seeming to have 
fulfilled its destiny—is now desolate, Montezuma continued southward, spreading pueblos far 
and wide, till he reached the city of Mexico. There, they say, he lived till the arrival of the- 
Spaniards, when he disappeared. “Since then,” said the narrator, becoming quite excited 
by his story, “the prediction has been verified, and the tree at Pecos fell as the American 
army was entering Santa Fe.” For some time previous the Indians of that pueblo had beeu 
dwindling away; and soon after, an old priest, the last of his tribe, died at his post, and the 
sacred fire was extinguished. They are now anxiously expecting the arrival of Montezuma; 
and it is related that in San Domingo, every morning at sunrise, a sentinel climbs to his house- 
top, and looks eastward, to watch for his coming. 
The Tiguex say that Com§nehes, Havajos, and all tribes of Indians, are of the same race, 
descended from Montezuma. All smoke to the sun, th^t he may send them antelope to kill, 
Indians to trade with,* and save them from enemies. 
The first of the Indian hieroglyphics discovered upon our joute were at Rocky Dell creek, 
* Our informers were on a trading expedition through the land of the Qpipauches, whom they could not find ; there: 
J’ore, the prayers are applicable to their poijdition 
