The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1891-02-06

urles, and antedating in their traditions
the most remote records Of the white man
on the American continent, they are vet
little known
The territory over which the tribe roams
is between the Rio Grande end Colorado
rivers, and along the valleys Of the Gila
and Tuni in western New Mexico aud Ari
zona. The Narajos lead d nornadic life
but At periods stop to SOW and cultivate
crops of maize, beans pumpkins, etc. When
the harvest IS over they move on to seek
new scenes.
Many are rich, and have flocks ana herds
that would grace The ranches Of white cat.
tie and sheep barons, while the thousands
q handsome horses owned BY the tribe arc
the admiration Of every visitor. To pur-
chase an animal, however, necessitates
close bargaining, for the Navaios will al.
low no one to cheat them il sharp ,lcalint
can prevent it,
They differ widely in appearance from
the typical savage ofthe prairie. They are
tall, well formed, erect, and have clear
olive compilations. Their bearing IS casy
and graceful, and they dress with comfort.
y party Of them visited by the writer had
apparel that was actually handsome. Thc
women wore skirts that came below
the knees. while the men had long frocks
it'tl'A vi SUM JlieHb IlihlGflnl, DuCESkiD
knee brceches and wooden stockings, In
the woalen goods the most brilliant colors
were used, and the effect was most strik.
ing The women have all their white sis
tiers love for llnery, and feathers dipped in
strong dyes manufactured by them orna-
nnented their heads and scarfs The men
ha't helmet shaped hats similarly adorned.
and pre- 'enteI the appearance of yeritahle
Stage warriors.
The Old Abrahamic form of government
exists among the Navajos The wealth.
est men are chiefS, and have retainers. re-
shall be done with the tribes possessions,
The Navajos will no more touch or eat n
hog than will u Jew. II is estimated that
they have now on their ranges 3,0OO, COO
sheep and 10000 horses, besides large herds
ot cattle. AS there are less than 10.ON
of tho race the wealth is quite respectable.
They add TO it constantly by the sale OF
the famous Navajo blankets, which all
the skill of the white man has not been
able to duplicate, They arc SO finely woven
that water can be carried in them wit hout
leaking, and the dyes are of such n per1na,
ncnt mud brilliant quality that they sur
pass III others known, The dyes are made
and the blankets woven by the women OF
the tribe on peculiar looms Of their own
devisng. These show great mechanical
skill. Theyconsist Of three Or fnu, horizon.
tai poles tied to saplinvs OF upright stand,
ards, while straight. slender strips of wood
or leathern thongs reach to the ground
The weaver sQuuts before the loom and
plies her shuttle to and fro, around and
between the strips, forming the warp and
woof Of the blanket. The dyes nre made
from certain plants and earth deposits
known only to the tribe
The Navajos are, however, true Indians
rs regards treatment of their enelnlcs
They have no friendship with any other
tribe, and war upon the nborigincs of the
southwest constantly Once, when they
were fighting the Pueblos, they called n
peace council, and having gathered all the
Pueblo chiefs i'll Il canyon, fell upon them
and attempted to massacre the whole
party. The nimbleness of the intended
victims, who scaled the sides of the canyon
and escaped, frustrated the design
The NaSajos are not experts with bow,
arrow or rife, their favorite weapon being
the spear. which they throw with great
force and skill. They are fine horscmen,
and the young men are fond of athletic
sports. Like the old Greeks, they have