USA > Arizona > The marvellous country : or, Three years in Arizona and New Mexico, the Apaches' home > Part 20
USA > New Mexico > The marvellous country : or, Three years in Arizona and New Mexico, the Apaches' home > Part 20
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From his statements, it seemed that the evening before, by appointment, he had met his fair Zuni charmer, and they had gone out together for a long moonlight stroll; that they had wandered down near the Sacred Spring, when the "gurl" had informed him, by "signs wid fingers," that she wished him to take an "ooath" there.
377
JIMMY'S STORY.
Now, as Jimmy had drank at the spring, and no disas- trous consequences had yet overtaken him, he reasoned by analogy, that he might take a "lover's oath" there with quite as much impunity as he could drink from it in any event. So, said Jimmy, "I wuz jist a swearin' misilf,
JIMMY'S MOONLIGHT STROLL.
whin I heard a noise like thunderin', and I looked up, and there wuz a dozen big strappin' Injuns jist comin' toards me. And I rin and got behind a big rock, and whin they see the gurl a-standin' there all alone they giv a yill, and one of the nasty divils picked her up, and throwed
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378
JIMMY'S STORY.
her acrost his horse, jist like a bag ov male, and she yellin' like murther all the time; and thin they stopped a minit, and all rode off togither till they wuz clane gone intirely. I wanted to holler, but I didn't spake a word; I kipt as still as a did man till they wuz all gone, and thin I started as fast as mi ligs would bring me for the camp - and I had'nt got but a little ways before I see one of 'em right before me, and, Juge, I'm stone did and gone intirely. What did I iver come into this blasted countbry wid yez for? You'll save her, won't yez, Juge! Howly murther, how thim divils did rin, tho'; and I've rin ivery stip ov the way, mor'n tin miles, be gorra, and I'll niver lave the camp again, by the blissed Vargin (crossing himself), till I'm a did man, and have the breath of life in me body. If ye'll git the gurl back, Juge, from thim devils, I'll niver spake to her agin, - boo, hoo, hoo!" And at this point Jimmy burst into the most lugubrious fit of weeping that any frightened man ever indulged in.
As soon as Jimmy's incoherent tale was ended, I informed him that it would be quite impossible for us to do anything towards rescuing the girl, at the same time taking advantage of the opportunity so unexpectedly offered, to show him that he alone was to blame for the misfortune that had overtaken her, as well as himself and the whole party; and that, in addition to the other trouble to be answered for, would be that of abduction, so soon as the girl should be missed.
379
NEWS FROM THE PUEBLO.
"Howly murther !" exclaimed Jimmy. "Will the bazaque charge me wid all that, noo, and I a good Christian boy; too? If iver I git out ov this divilish counthry, all the saints in heaven'll niver injuce me to intir into it agin; d'ye hear that, noo, Juge? I want to go to-day; lit's start."
Telling him that this was out of the question, and bid- ding him be quiet, the doctor and myself went out to find Don Rafael, who had gone to the pueblo, to assure himself of the safety of our animals, as well as to ascertain, if possible, why the Zunis had offered us no assistance the night previous.
Upon meeting him, he informed us that a large body of Navajoes had attacked the town upon the opposite side, and had succeeded in driving off a large number of sheep and cattle; that the party which attacked us was one that had been sent around to the rear of the town, for the purpose of making a diversion in favor of their friends, and that, without doubt, they were entirely unaware of our presence until they so unexpectedly came upon us; that matters in the town were in so much confusion, it seemed almost impossible to gain any information at present, therefore he suggested that we should visit the position held by the Navajoes in their attack upon us, and ascertain the results of our fight.
An examination of the ground revealed the fact that the
380
HOW THE ZUNIS FOUGHT.
friendly pits of which we had been so kindly warned by the cacique, had been the means of destroying no less than four good horses, while we found two Navajoes, cold and stiff in the embrace of death, some little distance in front of our camp. We took from them their blankets, which were very fine ones: one of these was given to Don Rafael, and the other to Jimmy, who in a very short time thereafter was heard to give a succinct and most thrilling account of "how the bloody divils attacked him, and he fought disperately for life, until he jist murthered one ov 'em wid his gun. And," said he, "I presarved this blankit as a miminto ov the fight, to show me grandchildren. Shure, isn't it an illigant one, too ?"
In fact, we often thereafter heard Jimmy relate the story of his desperate hand-to-hand encounter with the Navajoes, and how valiantly he had fought, single-handed and alone, "all the rist ov the party bein' aslape at the toime;" and so frequently did he relate it, that after a while he really came to believe it himself, and if either of us ventured to con- tradict it in the slightest particular, Jimmy became indig- nant, and charged us "wid thryin' to stale his honor."
An hour later, we found that the Zunis had but four men killed, with two men and one woman (Jimmy's sweet- heart) missing, and in addition about seven hundred head of sheep and some sixty cattle had been stolen.
Four Navajoes and ten horses were found upon the plain
381
VOLUNTEERS.
making a total loss to the Navajoes of six men and four- teen horses.
I thought it strange that neither of the Zunis were scalped; but was informed by the cacique that the Navajoes never scalped their victims, - a piece of informa- tion that I deemed it injudicious to impart to Jimmy, as he feared the loss of his scalp quite as much as any mishap that could have overtaken him in the country.
Upon observing that the Zunis were fitting out a party to send in pursuit, for the purpose of recapturing the stock, I expressed a desire to Don Rafael to join it. He seemed so well pleased that I mentioned it to the cacique, who was delighted at the suggestion, and immediately offered us the use of any stock in the pueblo for the expedition.
Thanking him for his kindness, and requesting him to send animals for myself, Don Rafael, and Jimmy, to the camp, we departed to make the necessary preparations.
Upon reaching the camp, I informed Jimmy that we had determined, at his suggestion, to undertake the rescue of the "gurl," and that he was to accompany us in the expedition. Jimmy's reply somewhat surprised us, for he exclaimed: "And what wud I be goin' wid yez fur, thin. No naed ov iverybody goin' afther one Injun gurl."
I told him that Doctor Parker would remain behind in the camp, and that he must at once get ready, for his mule would be here in a very few moments.
382
JIMMY PREFERS HIS SCALP;
When the animal came, a few minutes later, we found Jimmy sitting upon the wagon tongue, looking the very picture of desolation, and declaring that he "filt unwill;" indeed, we were obliged to use not only persuasions, but threats, to induce him to mount.
No sooner did the mule feel Jimmy's weight upon his back than he commenced to "buck" in the most fearful manner, so that before he had an opportunity to settle him- self in the saddle, he found himself lying upon his back, a long distance in advance of his animal.
As he made no effort to rise from the ground, the doctor approached him, and found him lying with eyes closed, breathing heavily, and to all appearances insensible.
A slight examination revealed the fact that Jimmy was "playing possum." Winking at me, the doctor remarked in a very serious manner: "Well, Judge, Jimmy is done for this time, I guess; he won't live but a few moments." My reply, "Well, send that Zuni who is holding those horses here; I want to see how the Zunis scalp a man," brought Jimmy to his feet with a bound, while he protested "there wuz nothin' the matther wid him, fur his insinsability wuz marely timporary."
After many earnest protests, Jimmy was induced to mount the mule once again, more by threats than arguments, even though he told us "that he'd niver live to rache the battle- ground, and that he'd be the very fust man shot on rach-
383
AND PROPHESYS.
ing it; besides, he didn't care a d-n for the gurl, but wuz glad she wuz gone, and he didn't want to be the manes of bringin' her back to be the plig of his life, and the manes ov gittin' his frinds into throuble wid the bazaque."
Notwithstanding these many excuses, he finally mounted again, and we set out for the pueblo. Upon reaching the plaza, we found about fifty Zunis assembled, well mounted and hideously painted.
Upon our joining the party, a low, guttural exclamation of satisfaction was uttered, and each one of the number insisted upon shaking us by the hand in the most cordial manner.
All this so delighted Jimmy that he quite forgot his presentiment of evil; and I heard him telling a group of Zunis, in a loud tone of voice, of the wonderful things they should "say him do wid his shot goon," notwithstand- ing he was perfectly well aware of the fact that not one of the crowd understood a word that he said.
A
CHAPTER XXV.
PARDONABLE curiosity led me to ascertain, if possible, the status of our party as to fire- arms. Upon asking the question, I was re- ferred by the cacique to Don Santiago, the war-chief, who was to lead the expedition in person.
An examination revealed the fact that ten of the braves were armed with old flint-lock rifles, of the Mississippi Yauger pattern; two with horse-pistols, of anti- quated make; and the rest with bows and arrows.
Upon learning that Don Santiago possessed no arms save a bow and arrow, I sent Don Rafael to camp to procure Dr. Parker's rifle, which I loaned to the chief, much to his delight.
Don Rafael and myself each carried rifles, and also revolvers; while Jimmy clung to his fowling-piece, which, he was assuring a little group of Zunis who were curiously
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385
THE PURSUIT.
examining its double barrel, "ud kill a thousin ov thim divils at one shot."
It was about nine o'clock when we left the pueblo, after the grand ceremony of invocation by the high-priest and his assistants; and as we started out, the cacique gravely assured me that we should return in all safety, as the spirit which had been invoked would effectually protect us.
Leaving the town, we followed a trail that led towards the northwest, in which direction Don Rafael informed me we should probably come upon that portion of the Navajoe country into which, without doubt, the thieving rascals had driven the stock captured the night before.
We rode swiftly along, as our animals were all fresh; and the Zunis, with their bright paint, and gayly-colored ribbons fluttering in the breeze, gave to our cavalcade a truly pic- turesque and brilliant appearance.
Occasionally a brave, desirous of showing the superior mettle of his charger, or, perchance, his own elegant horse- manship, with a shout would start his horse into a run, and, leaving the trail, dash wildly over the plain, to be followed by half a score of others, yelling like madmen, or now and then giving utterance to a fearful war-whoop, that seemed to act as an inspiration to both men and animals.
As we galloped in single file over the beautiful green plain, which extended for miles in all directions, with groves of huge pines and cedars clustered here and there over its
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386
INVOLUNTARY GYMNASTICS.
surface, and bounded by magnificent ranges of lofty moun- tains, whose bases seemed to consist of masses of foliage, fairly black in its density, above which rose their rugged sides of gray, while an occasional peak, standing higher than the others, would lose itself in the fleecy clouds that floated lazily in the surrounding ether, - even Jimmy seemed to catch the esprit de corps that pervaded the party. Turning his mule out of the trail, he spurred the animal into a run, and swinging his hat wildly over his head, gave utterance to a loud and prolonged Irish yell, as he started to follow the braves in their mad career.
Now, whether Jimmy's mule disliked the prospect of the violent exercise he was about to be forced into, or whether the sound of the Irish yell startled him out of his usual degree of propriety, I cannot say; but certain it is, that Jimmy had scarcely succeeded in persuading him to leave the trail ere he planted both fore-feet firmly on the ground, and lowering his head, playfully elevated his hind-feet, thus inducing Jimmy to turn as complete a somersault as it was ever my fortune to see turned, in connection with a flying leap; for he struck the ground nearly ten feet in advance of the animal, who, apparently unconscious that he had aided in the performance of any unusual feat, commenced to crop the luxuriant herbage around him.
Notwithstanding his really remarkable performance, Jim- my did not seem to be at all proud of it; nor, after rising,
387
SUBDUED JIMMY.
did he approach his animal as "the conquering hero comes," but rather with an air of bashful modesty, that was hardly in keeping with the bravado which he had assumed at the outset, when assuring the Zunis of his prowess.
Seizing the animal's bit in a very careful manner, while he picked up his fowling-piece from the ground, I was amused to see him follow the cavalcade in the most humble spirit. Reining my horse out from the trail, I waited for him to come up, and then inquired why he did not mount. His disconsolate reply, that he "prefarred to wark, on account ov the ixercise it giv him," caused me to smile, as I remarked that he'd get along faster by riding the animal, instead of leading him.
Jimmy's reply was a characteristic one, for he said: "Yiz, surr; that's jist the throble. I git along too fast, bedad; that's what's the matther." Nor could anything I might say induce him to remount.
After some little delay, a Zuni offered to change animals with him, and we once more proceeded on our way.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, we came to a beau- tiful little stream of clear water, where it was evident that the Navajoes had tarried long enough to water their stock, for their tracks seemed to be quite fresh; and the Zuni who acted as guide to our party, unhesitatingly expressed the opinion that they had passed the place not two hours before.
388
THE ENEMY SIGIITED.
Pausing here only long enough to give our animals a draught of the cool, refreshing water, we pushed on, up the valley of the little stream, winding through a rugged and somewhat broken country, towards the southern portion of what was then recognized as the Navajoe country.
Don Rafael, Jimmy, and myself were at this time near the head of the column, when we saw the guide, who had been riding far in advance, spurring his horse towards us at a furious rate; and upon coming up, he informed us that he had found the stolen sheep, grazing in a valley about two miles ahead, but had seen no Indians.
In a moment all noise ceased, as if by magic; Don Santi- ago hastily giving his orders in a quiet but determined tone of voice.
A dozen of the Zunis were dismounted, and sent out in different directions to ascertain the numbers and situation of the foe. Others proceeded to string their bows, arrange their quivers, and settle themselves firmly upon their ani- mals, when the order to move cautiously forward was given, Don Santiago informing me that he intended, if possible, to surprise the Navajoes, as he particularly wished to recapture the stock.
Upon looking around, just after we had commenced our forward movement, I was surprised to see Jimmy sitting on the ground beside his animal, busily engaged in contem- plating his shoes.
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389
SURPRISED.
Upon riding up to him, I said, "Well, Jimmy, what nonsense is this; do you want to be left behind?"
"Be gorra," said Jimmy; "would ye hev a mon ridin' all day wid sthones in his shoes ?"
"No, Jimmy," said I; "but hurry up, for I've informed the chief that you are going to take upon yourself the entire responsibility of the rescue of the girl."
"But," said Jimmy, "will yez jist ride along till I'm afther gittin' these sthones from mi shoes, and I'll jine yez in a viry few minutes."
Not desiring to have him remain behind, I insisted so strongly upon his mounting his animal and accompanying me, that he finally did so, although we had not proceeded twenty yards before he dropped his gun. This recovered, I saw him picking up his hat from the ground, and after every other means of delay seemed exhausted, he deliberately stopped, and began to tighten the girths to his saddle.
Upon remonstrating with him for these frequent and unnecessary delays, he finally said :-
"I'll not attimpt the riscue ov the gurl at all ; and I don't care a d-n if she's riscued or not; and I'm not faylin' will, aither, so yez naedn't wait fur mi."
Leaving him, I rode on, and overtaking the party, heard that the scouts had been in, and reported the sheep and cattle quietly grazing in a meadow not half a mile from us, and that Don Santiago had distributed his men so as to
390
ITS RESULT.
completely surround the valley, ordering them to wait for a signal from their leader before showing themselves to the foe.
In a short time Don Santiago and some eight or ten braves started for the summit of the bluff, behind which the stock had been seen, while Don Rafael and myself rode slowly behind, intending to remain spectators of the scene
Having ascertained that my arm was so sore and inflamed from the effects of the wound received the night previous that it would be next to impossible for me to use my carbine, I had loaned it to a bright-looking young Zuni who was act- ing as aid to Don Santiago, and whom Don Rafael kindly instructed in its use.
Upon reaching the summit of the bluff aforesaid, Don Santiago and his little band uttered the 'Zuni war-whoop, which was instantly answered from a dozen different points; and putting their horses into a run, they dashed down the sides of the valley, yelling like madmen, and frantically brandishing their bows and arrows in the air, while the stock, apparently paralyzed by the sight and sounds, hud- dled themselves together in a terrified manner near the foot of the bluff on which we were standing.
We were in time to see about a dozen Navajoes, mounted upon magnificent horses, and clothed in gayly-striped blan- kets, which seemed to be flying loosely behind them, hur- riedly betaking themselves up the side of a bluff that seemed
391
A HALT.
to bound the valley on the north, pursued by about a dozen Zunis, whom we thought could have but little chance of overtaking them, on account of the very inferior character of the animals upon which they were mounted.
Riding up to speak with us for a moment, Don Santiago informed us that the surprise was a complete one; that they had recaptured all the stock, which had been left in charge of a portion of the thieves while the remainder had undoubtedly taken the prisoners by a shorter and more direct route; that he and a few braves would join the pursuing party, and make an expedition into the Navajoe country ; and that the remainder of his party would return with the recaptured stock to the pueblo.
As I was not prepared to make a campaign into the heart of the Navajoe country, I decided to return; upon which Don Rafael and myself turned our horses' heads in the direction of the pueblo, and rode on in advance of the party.
Upon reaching the stream that we had crossed some hours before, Don Rafael removed the saddles and bridles from our weary animals, and permitted them to enjoy a roll in the luxuriant meadow, before making a hearty meal upon the rich grass so abundant around them, - during which time Don Rafael and myself enjoyed our lunch with much gusto. While encamped here, Jimmy rode up looking as though he felt very much ashamed of himself, and most
392
A SUN-STROKE.
dolefully bewailing the day that "he'd ivir consintid to jine in an expidition to attimpt to rejuce the Navajoes," loudly complaining that the fatigue and warm weather were "anuf ter kill a mule," and saying "that he should have remained wid us all the toime, hadn't he bin complately prosthrated by the ifficts of a sun-sthroke," from which, however, he had then most happily recovered, if we might be allowed to form an opinion from the facility he displayed in con -. cealing the provisions spread before him.
The sun was fast sinking in the western skies when Don Rafael again resaddled our horses, and we once more resumed the journey towards our camp, pushing on at a rate of speed pronounced by Jimmy to be "most fataygin," and who begged in piteous tones to be "lift behind," not- withstanding the fact that be managed to keep right in front all the time.
The moon had risen high in the heavens when we espied our little camp, nestled so quietly beneath its bright beams, under the grim, brown walls of Zuni; and it was a sight that filled my heart with gladness, while Jimmy asserted that "it wuz dearer to his eyes than would have bin ould Father O'Brady, his own parish praste."
My arm was dressed by the doctor, and I was soon in my blankets; nor did I open my eyes again until the next noon, when the doctor awakened me to say that the Zunis had arrived with the recaptured stock.
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393
THE BRAVE MAN'S DANCE.
About two o'clock we visited the pueblo to find the people rejoicing over the safe return of their braves, with all the stock that had been stolen by the Navajoes; for it seemed to be generally taken for granted that the remainder of the party would return in safety, as Don Santiago was a most successful leader.
Doctor Parker was a little anxious about his rifle; but when informed that mine was in company with his own, he seemed much easier in his mind, and accepted the invi- tation the cacique gave us to be present at the dance that evening, with which the braves, who had returned from the expedition, were to celebrate their success.
About nine o'clock that evening, we all wended our way to the pueblo, to see the "brave man's dance," - resem- bling a good, old-fashioned Yankee caucus, where each can- didate is permitted to state in detail the particular claims he possesses for a nomination, more closely than any gather- ing I had ever attended outside of New England.
It was a beautiful night. The moon, just rising, lent its pale light, so effectually illuminating the scene that every object in the large plaza was distinctly visible, without the aid of the light from the bright fire which was burning near its centre.
Four large cedar stakes, elaborately carved, had been set in the ground at each of the cardinal points, representing the four Zunis who had lost their lives in defending the pueblo.
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394
SYMBOLICAL.
To cach stake were attached four feathers of the eagle, four of the turkey, four of the duck, and four of the crow.
Those of the eagle were supposed to be typical of the gallantry and daring of the braves who had so valiantly defended the pueblo. The turkey feathers served to remind them that the Great Spirit always regarded his children with love, and ever stood ready to exercise over them his protecting care, in proof of which he had sent them corn and wheat by the turkey when they were hungry. The duck, being a water fowl, and under the protecting care of the Spirit of the Spring, reminded them that he would guard their characters from the "forked tongues" of their enemies, even as the Great Spirit most beneficently exercised his protecting care over their lives. The feathers of the crow, being black, represented to them the hearts of their foes, over whom they had so signally and gloriously triumphed.
At the sound of the tombe,* the warriors, to the number of thirty, hideously painted and gayly ornamented, entered the plaza with slow and measured step, marching towards the north corner. Here they paused for a few moments,
* A section of hollow log, about two feet long, and from sixteen to eighteen inches in diameter. Over one end of it is stretched a dried hide, from which the hair has been carefully removed. It is sounded with a stick, simi- lar to that used in beating a bass drum, and produces a most terrific sound, which can be heard for miles on a still night.
395
ZUNI MODESTY.
their faces all turned towards the north, and indulged in a series of gyrations, expressive of the contempt they felt for their foes. This completed, they made the entire circuit of the plaza four times, after which they approached the fire which was brightly burning near the centre of the square.
Here they halted, and the oldest of the warriors took a position in front of the fire, between the two stakes that pointed towards the section of the country from which the enemy came. The rest of the braves, after forming a circle round the fire, commenced a low, monotonous chant, as the prelude to a dance, during which they indulged in the most eccentric and uncouth motions, interspersed with low, gut- tural exclamations of satisfaction.
The orator all this time was occupying the centre of this magic circle, narrating, in a loud tone of voice, and with most extravagant gesticulations, his various feats of arms.
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