Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-08

IN southeastern Nevada. NV business was
to look after the wants of the Indians, visit
the different subdivisions Of the tribe, and
use my influence to bring them to the reser-
vatlon, where they might be cared for and
taught the principles of civilization. On
one excursion | was looking after the scat
tered band Of Sobits and, on returning to
the agency, was attempting to cross from
the lower crossing of the Little Colorado. on
the east side of the main Colorado River, to
the mouth of the Red Virgin, over dry,
barren plateau of seventy miles. 1t was a
wearisome march, and both man and beas t
had reached state of actual suffering for
want OF water. Serious thoughts and calcu-
latlons occupied every moment the fear of
destruction seemed to be indeibly stamped
upon all +; yet |, who had the guardianship of
the party had many times, in my twenty-six
years IN the Far West, experienced very sim
liar tests OF mems souls, and bade them on
ward; and, with my assurnce that they
would reach water, they trudged on. While
travelling along very long Indian trail,
discovered an object in the distance which |
supposed TO be deer or an antelope, which
was regarded as sign that wstor was near at
hand. Spurs were applied to the faithful
mules, and they were not long in approach
ing near the supposed animal but, to the
astonlshment OF the party, it proved to be an
Indian laden with Zoona blankets, en- route
to what he called the Diablo-the Devils
Nest. lie was most fearfully frightened lie
afterwards stated that he expected to be
murdered by the party but, upon being as
sured of friendship and good will, he gave
information of water and also of his business
He proved to be Moqua Indian trader. with
very large pack of blankets upon his back.
and az stated before, was en- route to the
Devils Nest. He invited US to follow him.
We had travelled but a short distance when
we came upon great descent in the level
plain or mesa. 1t was evidently too steep to
be descended with animals so we dismouuted.
plcketed our animals and on foot followed our
guide. A few rods travel brought us to a
perpendicular cliff Of solid alpace, or cool
ed lava, from which we obtained plain view
OF most wonderful chamber lying at a great
distance below US. At this point our guide
threw over or down his pack, and it was
soon out Of sight. Immediately before US
was narrow, deep crater in the malpace.
through which we went down at an angle of
~ degrees, till another perpendicular cliff
was reached which we descended by the aid
OF Mexican ladder 1t was made of raw
hide, and was securely fastened in large
pile of stones on the top. 1t had small sticks
twisted IN the raw hide at right angles with
the larlat which served as steps in the lad
der. On them, one after another. lower
point was gained, except in few cases where
long pole was used a. substitute At
last the bottom was gained and. after
journey of half mile over a beautiful smooth
surface. We came to one Of the most beauti-
ful bubblirg springs we had ever seen of pure,
cold and sweet water. At this point, 10 my
astonshment and dismay, found an album
dance of Indian signs tracks OF lndians)
could look around me and realize the stub
born fact that | was in one of Natures most
secure PRISONS. The walls were pcrpendicu-
lar TO the height Of 500 to 900 feet,
with seemingly no possible means of escape,
save by the way We entered. The first thought
was horriiying in the extreme. The idea of
having followed an Indian into the midst Of
a band OF Wild Apaches was terrible indeed.
| suspieiously and tremblingly followed the
MOqua quarter Of mile further, when the
stream OF the spring had grown to quite a
little creek, having been increased by many
other springs, and the signs Of Indians had
changed to that of real Indian vill@ se: yet
not an Indian was to be seen, and this was
but confirming my suspicious Of danger, and
adding more horror to my trembling nerves.
Our guide mounted large rock and yelled,
at the top Of his voice, most horrifying
howl. After seemingly long suspense, a
very old, deerepit Indian, almost blind, crept
out from the mass Of detached cliff that had
fallen from above, and with trembling fear
exclaimed
"Amigo-amigo."
The salute was returned, and two cow
ards-no, brave men-each fearing the other.
rejolced and, as evidence of friendship, there
was an exchange Of tobacco, and the pipe Of
peace was smoked. 1t was followed by call
ing together the whole tribe Numbering in
all but sixteen. They had probably fed to
this most secret and remarkable spot Of earth
for refuge in the time of trouble, probably
previous to the invasion Of Cortez. They
were most maryellously struck with my ap-
pearanee.
The Devils Nest Is situated in the north
west part of Arizona Territory on the east
side Of the Colorado River, and opposite the
lower end Of the great Canon Of the Colorado.
That canon is, in some places, 5000 feet
deep. The Devils Nest i snnken hole in
a malpace, or lava formation, TO depth of
1850 to 1000 feet with perpendicular walls,
excepting the hazardous entrance through or
over which we passed 1t is an oblong square,
some II by ten miles. found these In
dians in possession OF large flock Of goats,
which had been kept within bounds by
means Of laria:s. They had also plenty OF
beans and corn and more astonishing still
they had the most thrifty peach trees that |
have ever seen. and quite quantity Of dried
peaches, which 81 here connect with our
guide, the Moqua trader, for be exchanged
his blankets for dried fruit. 1t it supposa-
bic that the most uniform climate in America
Is to be found in this sink the Devils Nest.
| have been travelling for many years as pio-
neer in the Far West, and upon reaching the
hidden valley, concluded that there was
spot upon which no white man had ever trod
before my self but to my astonishment ju st
before taking my leave Of the humble Chief
and his tribe, got to know, through the
medium of paper handed me by the Chief,
that the notorious assassin and leader of the
Mountain Meadow Massacre had been here.
The paper-a piece or leaf of a blank book
had written upon it, in pencil the follow
ing
ARIZONA TERRITORY, July ,, lS73--Capt-
Slupe-Sale and ribe,-ignorant, innocent,
and harmless.