New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-05

lagos rather than shifting encamprnents Pueblo
originally meant. and stiu means. OF these
places OF residence. Many OF them now lie in
ruins but a few more modern than the Others
doubt still exist Near the pueblo OF Cochiti
the figures Of two mountain lions that have been
carved out of the solid rock. MIR. Prince had that
pair OF statues in mind when he used the express
sion Just quoted.
THE stone lions Of Cochti" as they are some
times called are nearly twelve miles the north OF
the village which IS the nearest one now Inhabited.
The ex-NIayOr after witnessing the annual festival
OF the people OF Cochiti. procured guide and
made the Journey difficult road TO the lions
and back again in a single day That part Of the
country is broken up by numerous gorges or can
yons. whose sides vary in steepness. Between them
are high plateaus. "mesas." on one OF the
latter are the ruins OF the pueblo OF Ouemado.
the Burnt Pueblo. which at some Ill defined period
IN the past was destroyed by fire. Though IL IS
impossible to precise historical data
corning the place. Mr. Prince notes that the former
residents though walking barefooted or wearing
only a soft mocCasin, were able to wear paths in
the rock to depth OF six inches
Quemado laid out like other pueblos in the
form OF irregular square. One side measures 525
feet in length and another about 400 On each side
the buildings had been continuous. and at the
ners of the paralelogram no opening was left.
cept at the northeastern angle. There the only
place for entrance was provided. The houses
three stories high the outer faces Of the square,
and were terraced down on the interior. The occu-
the inclosed court This structural arrangement
fitted town admirably for defence IN war. par
ticularly as the outer walls pierced with few
windows At the base the houses twenty
five feet deep. and divided up into three
rooms whose width about seven or eight feet.
The were about twelve feet long Even yet
It is possible to perceive that the OF which
these structures consisted OF high order.
The stones were hewn perfectly and systemati-
cally as is done by the most expert builders to-
day.
Within the court the ruins OF four small
circular Enclosures thirty forty feet across.
These. too. are typical features OF all pueblos.
They are known "estufas." and two theories are
advanced concerning their use. both of which may
be in measure correct. The Spanish explorer
the estufas the homes OF the young men, and
that the women dwelt In the terraced houses There
devoted 10 religious or other ceremonies and some
times served as council chambers.
The Hons were found IN another circular IN
closure outside or and third of mile away
from the ruined pueblo. The wall was OF stone,
three feet thick. and had once been six feet high.
The diameter OF the ring about IS feet. The
wall pierced on the southeastern side and ex-
tended in parallel lines so as 10 afford an easily
guarded approach. The statues form part OF
ton. Removal is therefore impossible without de-
taching them The lions stand side by side facing
and the tails 81 inches, giving an extreme length
TO the figure of nearly six feet. They are dis
the greatest breadth of the bodies is so inches and
the tails inches wide. Until fourteen or flf-
teen years ago the statues remained in excellent
state or preservation But ignorant herdsmen have
battered the heads sufficiently TO impair the orig
inal outlines of the latter.
MI Prince thinks that the lions were designed
as fetiches for Pueblo hunters Even to-day pill
grinases are made thtther from Cochiti, when par
Ties OF men are about to engage In the chase