Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-16

at Pala, and all the inhabitants from far and
near had assembled to celebrate the fiesta OF
its patron saint, San Luis Rey. A stones
throw from the chapel or mission was the
raInada, about which the festivities centered.
This was a brush structure, made Of inter
woven green willow branches, about hfty
feet square, fiat upon the top, with the open
ings. which extended completely through
dividing the ramada into three parts. In
the center was the square dancing platform,
with benches on each side, while the sides of
the ramada proper were divided into booths
by dealers of various kinds.
1t is at night that the fiesta really begins.
Vehicles of all descriptions have been arriv-
ing all the afternoon, unloading entire fam
lies, the women wrapped in the inevitable
black shawl, the men in sombreros and long |
frock coats, riders on horseback, some on |
mules, until by s O'Clock the ramada was
thronged with en- eager, hard drinking, but |
good humored, crowd. A few lamps and |
candles were distributed about, and the ra- |
mada became picturesque even in its somber- |
ness The band, two guitars and violin, |
struck up La Paloma," and soon after was
almost drowned by the shutting feet Of the
dancers upon the sanded floor Among the
lockers on were descendants of the old mis-
sion Indians, tine Cahuilos, Diegenos, and
others
The fiesta has commenced and all is sup
posed to be us merry as the TRADITIONAL mar
riage bell, yet TO the strangers there 1t is a
very solemn affair. The segregation between
the sexes seems to be complete The young
men in their long coats, when not taking a
hand at the various games of chance or
drinking, sit silently by upon bench smok-
ing cigarettes, while the senoritas dispose
themselves upon an equally hard bench upon
the opposite side of the dancing platform.
There is no conversation, no small talk, fir
tation or coquetry beyond the speaking black
eyes. When the violin and guitars strike
up the opening dance the young men sol
EMMY walk over to the young ladies and lead
them out, after the dance as solemnly es-
corting them back again. The young men
had their WINE and their cigarettes, and oc-
casionally lost dollar at the games, but the
senoritas bought their own tomalis and
| other refreshments As the night wore on
wine flowed more freely, betting became
more vigorous. and laughing and shouting
were occasionally heard, and but once any
| Indication OF serious by play.
| At Parma, ten miles IN the Pala valley,
another mission was visited. Here were
larger ramadas and many Indian houses with
tulle or willow annex. The old chief, who
WIS barefcoted and hooded with a stovepipe
hat several decades old, greeted US cordially,
displayed his dancing dress of eagle feathers,
and stepped a measure for our editication.
| His house was of adobe, with a ramada Of
tulle or willow-literally a summer kitchen,
where the family lounged and lived.
The Interior of the house, though foorless,
was clean, and the family, a large one, sat
around eyeing US with curiosity. In every
house were seen baskets, mortars and mat
ates, tie only evidence of art among these
people. Mortars were found in various local
ities lying about the fields, several weighing
$50 pounds in front Of the ohi mission. whit
others. probably broken intentionally, pro
truded from the ground within the grea
adobe wall in the garden. with its old olive.
and vines planted by the padres. The NOR
tars range from small ones weighing tiv,
pounds to those weighing 270 pounds. They
were tine primitive vessels for grinding corn
Who made them the present Indians do no
know, and when asked where they got then
they reply that they found them, which i
probably true, as the writer has unearths,
numbers on the slopes of the Temecala rang
and elsewhere. They were made by the an
cestors of the present Indians, worn ont afte
years of grinding and patient labor. Som
are of heavier granite rook, while other
are OF volcanic origin, many being of regu
lar shape, showing that the makers had som
idea of beauty Of form.
While the stone implefhents of these peopl
are interesting the baskets show them to hav
possessed much artistic feeling. In many c
the adobes or huts Of the Cahuila, Pauma c
Pachanga Indians old women were seen wea,
ing baskets. They sat upon the ground, tailc
fashion, with bundles of material by the
sides working at the basket whi woul
take them two weeks to finish and which I
could buy The baskets are to these peop
| what tinware is to the whites. One is
trunk and holds the wardrobe of the squaw
Another and smaller one serves as a tobacc
pouch. An old squaw is Sitting grain with
| plaque of basketware. Another is cookir
food in a large basket in which the water hi
been heated by the introduction of hot stone
= Grapes are heaped in the largest, while veI
small specimens are used in a variety
ways.
In Pauma baskets could be found in ever
house, though none of the owners seemed pa
ticularly desirous of parting with them.
one broken down adobe visited were thr
old squaws and an old man In response
q request for baskets the latter sang son
7 in which he told the story of the basket ma
ers of old. Throwing 4 coat over his arm
assumed q position similar to negro wh,
about TO pat time, and commenced to sing
weird conlmingling of sounds in old Cahuil
IS every line ending in "A-a-ah-ah," follow
by an aspirating sound almost asthmatic.
this the old squaws crouching near in t
ramada joined At the first notes the Me.
& cans at the large ranada came dashing
upon their ponies, and soon the old chief W
Nr the center Of picturesque group. The
tention and applause seemed to excite hi
as he redoubled his efforts, waving his arr
wildly, pointing to the four points Of t
compass, and stamping upon the ground I
entire assemblage joined in the "a a-ah-at
- giving it rising and falling infection.
Ia As the crowd dispersed at the terminate
Of this entertainment the women and ch
dren came pouring out of the mission
Pauma, where they had been listening
|, mass and confessing the sins of the past I
~ months They were coming to see the RAJ
~ and fell back as a dozen or more bronc
rec dashed by in cloud Of dust.
eo ''This is fine racing" said Don Cerit
ar, "but you should have seen the mission in
nj. old days when thousands Of Indians and e
tilans joined in the sport There was ridi
ns, for you! / have seen my brother" he ct
'ho tinued, take n shield of hide not over thl
feet square and ride around on indian W
was firing at him and receive every arr
: Upon til shield; this at dead run."-Sou
% ELL California Letter in New York Times
SJ.