The mirror., 1921-08-25

saw one sand storm before us which much
to our relief passed to one side, great
wall of sand being carried forward by
the wind and at speed that would have
overwhelmed us had we been unfortunate
enough to have been in its path.
Let me quote what another traveller ex-
perienced who was not as fortunate as we:
"About noon we looked back and saw
through the heat-haze a monstrous black
thunder-cloud coming across the desert we
had passed over the day before. An hour
later it hit us; at first instead of rain,
this fierce driven storm hurled sand upon
us! Sand in wonderful streamers, sand
in high-tossed waves, sand in outspread,
obscuring curtains blown fantastically,
sand in whirling spirals and sand in dull,
level-driven steamer, whipped, stung and
carressed us, sifted into our hair and
through our clothes. 1t was roaring,
stunning sort of assault, but luckily it
came upon US from behind. We plodded
on, punched against it under our pouches,
i'll default of anything better to do Then
came the torrent downpour." Yes, we saw
it all from the outside-we were lucky
indeed.
We were certainly welcomed by our
new friends at Kayenta, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Wetherill, their son and daughter,
and were Immediately at home in the most
picturesque and artistic dwelling imagin-
able. Indian rugs everywhere covering
floors and walls, beautiful examples of
Indian weaving, pottery, implements of
peace and war and above all which
showed the true character of our hosts,
shelf after shelf filled with interesting his
torical books.
Mr.. John Wetherill is we'll educated
man, one who has made the best use of
the resources at hand and on account of
his association with archaeologists is we'll
versed on the history of the southwest the
geology, flora and araeology and particu-
larly the history, method of living and
industry of the Navajo Indians. He is
the Government Custodian of the Navajo
National Monument, which includes many
cliff dwelling ruins as we'll as the Rain
bow Arch and is thereby responsible for
the safe keeping and preservation of these
relics of an extinct race and the natural
wonders of the region.
Mrs. Wetherill living as she does in the
desert without social contact with women
of her station except such as come as her
guests, a marvel of the desert, working
diligently all the time, studying the fora
of the Reservation, collecting and mount
ing speciments labeled with the botanical
names, local names and the uses made of
them by the medicine men of the Indians.
Not a small part of her duties is the part
she is forced to play in the lives of her
Indian friends, she being their Judge and
jury, settling their disputes with feminine
tact and judicial judgment, the fairness of
which is recognized by the Indians and
they do not hesitate to call on her and
accept her decisions as law.
Mr.. Colville, member of the firm of
Wetherill and Colville, looks after the
trading post, dealing with the Indians in
just and equitable manner, purchasing
their rugs, skins and wool in exchange
for coffee, -four, cloth and other articles
of Indian consumption. He acts as their
banker giving them credit for the funds
they wish to leave at the post and loaning
them, money on their ornaments of per-
sonal adornment or on their personal
, credit, position calling for tact and great
patience as the Indians are careful traders
and will ride many miles on their ponies
if they think quarter may be saved.
AT the Kayenta home, we met num-
Der of fine gentlemen among whom will
mention, Professor Byron Cummings of
the University of Arizona, learned man
who has spent many years in archaeology