The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-29

light came again there was not sign
OF habitation left upon all the wide mesa.
Nearly the whole tribe had been swept
away. But some OF them were saved.
In one place where the ground opened
1t had only partly closed again, leaving
two separate mesas upon its SIDES. The
lower was broader than the upper, and
moreover, opened out into the euannei,
OF a great stream. but the upper was cut
off from approach either by ascent or
from their brethren below. At the bot
tom life might be supported on fish and
stray fowl, and on the sides OF their
rocky prison grew bushes and stunted
trees which yielded an abundance or
berries and pine-holes In season. SO toe
little band set about to begin life again.
First of all they sought TO build a path
to their imprisoned brothers on the upper
mesa. Their numbers were few, and they
had only such rude instruments at hand
as might be made from the tough young
sapllngs. Each day saw them painfully
and slowly advancing upward. but cacn
day told upon the hungry and suffering
people In the aerial prison. AS the days
passed by the workmen made feverish
haste. Sometimes. when the winds were
still. they could hear the cries OF an
guish and distress floating out upon the
First Of all they sought to build a path
upper mesa. Their numbers were few,
and they had only such rude implements
at hand as might be made from the
tough young saplings. Each day saw
them painfully and slowly advancing up
ward, but each day told upon the hungry
and suffering people in the aerial prison.
As the days passed by the workers made
feverish haste. Sometimes, when the
winds were still. they could hear the cries
or anguish and distress floating out upon
the still air. Then they would see the giar-
Ing eager eyes, as the despairing crea.
lures hung over the precipice and shout
ed for aid. At times the steady NOM
otone of the workers would be broken by
a Shrek, and, glancing upward, they
would see between them and the sun
the body of some one of their demented
kindred. who had hurled himself into
the abyss
AT last the workers reached the sum-
NIT, but to their horror not one Of their
kinsmen was alive. Strewed about in All
manner of shapes were the remains OF
their loved ones and friends. Their fam
ine-stricken faces would have told the
story Of their death, II 1t had not al
ready been known. Sadly and after the
parbaric rights of their people, the re-
and their companions returned TO what
seemed hopeless lives below.
But the Ava-Supis were brave and
patient even in the shadow OF despair.
They set about and gathered large uuan-
titles OF the fruits and nuts, storing
them away Tor the winter season. Tho
nsh tney dried TO the same purpose.
Then they resolved to continue the road
from the upper mesa still upward with
the hope that perhaps they might reacn
their old homes. The work was SLOW.
Almost a generation had passed before
they reached the broad mesa where once
mad been their homes. They saw moth
ing Inc plains stretched away on every
size In utter baroness. Their onIv
nome after all was down In the deep
canon where the Great Spirit had SEMI
them. Sorrowfully they returned. and
yet with lighter hearts than they bna
known Tor many days. Most OF them now
mad been born in the shadow of tic
mighty walls. There they would be con-
tented TO live, and, perhaps IL they ac-
cepted the vengeance that had been Wis
iteu upon their fathers and themselves
In due meekness of spirit, IL would nor
De counted against them when they died
and reached their home behind the stars.
The tradition continues TO relate how
men from other tribes. generations AFTER
ward found the pathway hewn with so
much labor and care. and came and set
tied among the Ava-Supis. Gradua.ly
Intercourse sprang up with the outside
world. From the Moqui villages they
obtained seeds OF many kinds, and grew
into semi-civiized pursuits.
All traditions have more or less foun-
dalton, though sometimes. and. indeed.
often 1t is very meagre. II Is possible
that the narrow defile which Is now tho
happy home OF the Ava-supis was mo
result OF one of those fearful earth
quakes which In times past were not al
all uncommon in these ATTITUDES THO
mesa above is covered for miles around
with debris and volcanic deposit. indca-
ting a mighty earth disturbance at some
time.-St. Louis Globe-Democrat