8 
REMAINS OF INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.—PIMOS INDIANS. 
twenty feet in diameter, and one in the centre. Radii were drawn on the ground from the 
centre pole to those in the periphery of the circle. It was the figuring of some medicine 
man of the Apaches or Pimos, we could not tell which, for it was on neutral ground, about the 
dividing line of the possessions claimed by each. 
After leaving the mountains all seemed for a moment to consider the difficulties of our jour¬ 
ney at an end. The mules went off at a frolicsome pace, those which were loose contending 
with each other for precedence in the trail. The howitzers, which had nearly every part of 
their running gear broken and replaced, were, perhaps, the only things that were benefited by 
the change from the mountains to the plains. These were under the charge of Lieutenant 
Davidson, whose post has been no sinecure. In overcoming one set of difficulties we were now 
to encounter another. In leaving the mountains we were informed that we hade adieu to grass, 
and our mules must henceforth subsist on willow, cotton-wood, and the long green ephedra. 
November 10.—The valley on the southern side of the Grila still grows wider. Away off in 
that direction the peaks of the Sonora mountains just peep above the horizon. On the north 
side of the river, and a few miles from it, runs a low chain of serrated hills. Near our encamp¬ 
ment a corresponding range draws in from the southeast, giving the river a bend to the north. 
At the base of this chain is a long meadow, reaching for many miles south, in which the Pimos 
graze their cattle; and along the whole day’s march were remains of zequias, pottery, and 
other evidences of a once densely populated country. About the time of the noon halt, a large 
pile, which seemed the work of human hands, was seen to the left. It was the remains of a 
three-story mud house, sixty feet square, pierced for doors and windows. The walls were four 
feet thick, and formed by layers of mud two feet thick. Stanly made an elaborate sketch of 
every part; for it was, no doubt, built by the same race that had once so thickly peopled this 
territory, and left behind the ruins. 
We made a long and careful search for some specimens of household furniture or implement 
of art, hut nothing was found except the corn-grinder, always met with among the ruins and 
on the plains. The marine shell, cut into various ornaments, was also found here, which 
showed that these people either came from the seacoast or trafficked there. No traces of hewn 
timber were discovered ; on the contrary, the sleepers of the ground-floor were round and unhewn. 
They were burnt out of their seats in the wall to the depth of six inches. The whole interior 
of the house had been burnt out, and the walls much defaced. What was left bore marks 
of having been glazed, and on the wall in the north room of the second story were traced the 
following hieroglyphics: [Lost.] 
Where we encamped, eight or nine miles from the Pimos village, we met a Maricopa Indian 
looking for his cattle. The frank, confident manner in which he approached us was in strange 
contrast with that of the suspicious Apache. Soon six or eight of the Pimos came in at full 
speed. Their object; was to ascertain who we were, and what we wanted. They told us the 
fresh trail we saw up the river was that of their people, sent to watch the movements of their 
enemies, the Apaches. Being young, they became much alarmed on seeing us, and returned 
to the town, giving the alarm that a large body of Apaches were approaching. 
Their joy was unaffected at seeing we were Americans, and not Apaches. The chief of the 
guard at once despatched news to his chief of the result of his reconnaissance. The town was 
nine miles distant, yet in three hours our camp was filled with Pimos, loaded with corn, beans, 
honey, and zandias (water-melons.) A brisk trade was at once opened. This was my observing 
night; hut the crowd of Indians was great, and the passing and repassing at full speed so 
continuous, that I got an indifferent set of observations. 
The camp of my party was pitched on the side nearest the town, and we saw the first of 
these people and their mode of approach. It was perfectly frank and unsuspicious. Many 
would leave their packs in our camp and he absent for hours, theft seeming to he unknown 
among them. With the mounted guard, which first visited us, was a man on foot, and he 
appeared to keep pace with the fleetest horse. He was a little out of breath when he reached 
