The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-03-05

By means of round piece of wood,
covered with beeswax, for cylinder,
and card with kneedle through it
for diaphragm, he explained in
measure to San Juan the purpose of
the phonograph, and this he did to
lesson the superstition OF the Indians.
Pueblos abhor photography, because
it implies the use of light, which to
them is sacred, being sun worshippers.
And they are equally suspicious of
oil the inventions of the white man.
When the photographer arrived with
the phonograph it was put in working
order, and San Juan and his wife were
delighted with the music and the
speeches they could not understand.
But most of all they enjoyed the
sound of fight between a cat and
dog given to the phonograph by an
animal imitator.
The Pueblo Indians are direct de-
scendants of the Toltecs, but have lost
the arts which distinguished their an
cestors, and are now devoted mainly
to agriculture. They raise corn and
wheat, goats and sheep, and are very
industrious people. Their oppressive
enemy IS the tribe of Jicarilla
Apaches. At harvest time the Jica-
rillas send spies down into the valley,
and when they see the fruits being
garnered and the goats and donkeys
treading the grain from the sheafs
they go back to the mountains and
prepare for n raid.
Mr.. Walters was anxious to secure
cylinder for the phonograph record
ing the speech of San Juan. The
Pueblo consented to talk into the
mysterious machine, but when before
the receiver he was unable to speak.
''Tell us what you think of the
Apaches," suggested Mr.. Walters. In
stream OF Spanish came bitter de-
nunciation from the Pueblo, who had
many injuries unadjusted. He called
the Apaches everything abusive he
could think of, and spoke the names
OF chiefs who were arch thieves. And
he did not stop until the cylinder ran
out Meantime his wife and other
Pueblos listened approvingly. Not
long after this Mr.. Walters and the
photographers continued their jour-
ney.
Up the valley they went, now over
grassy mesas and again through can
yons so narrow aud deep that they
could see the stars atnoonday through
the narrow rift above them. One
afternoon they came out into beau
tiful natural mountain park, with a
cold, clear stream running through it,
and plenty of wood and grass. Be-
yond the park narrowed into another
canyon. In this park they determined
to camp for day or two, the photog-
rapher to make some views and Mr..
Walters to study the botany and to
prospect.
They were unpacking their camp
equipage and preparing to turn their
horses loose, when they saw emerge
from the canyon a band of about
forty Jicarilla Apaches. The Indians
we're in full war regalia. They were
painted black and red and had war
bonnets of eagle feathers on their
heads. Each carried shining new
Winchester, and two or three revol-
vers. which were the gifts of their
Uncle Sam.
Thep photographer was for cutting
the horses loose and at once making a
bolt.
snake medicine first, then,' said
Walters, cheerful way af telling him
to pray. s.And then let's bluff it
out
And, as they waited, the Indians
rode up to them in single file as stolid
as wood.
s.Buenos dos" said Walters to the
first, who was evidently chief. He
was extra adorned with red paint. He
grunted end passed on looking
straight ahead. Pleasant greetings
in Spanish were offered to each, but
they ignored the white men, as their
chief had done When they had
nearly all passed, Walters stood up in
the wagon and shouted:
'sEl hombre grandel I" This was
passed up the line and the great man
turned and rode slowly back, accom-
panied by two of his sub chiefs. while
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