Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/82

71 'i.T HBENAUUXt, NEW MEXISO. 71 laake peace before any harm had been done. They 'went ^raiigh the forms of making peace, which is to touch the horses and take their sweat and rub them- selves with it, and to make crosses with the fingers of the hand. But to make the most secure peace they put their hands across each other; and kept this peace inviolable. They made a present of a large number of turkeys with very big wattles, much bri^d, tanned deer skins, pine nuts, corn-meal and corn." This impregnable vUlage or fortress was and is now situated about five days march east of Zuni, so must be located in about 108 degrees west and 35 south. It would require many pages to convey a proper conception of this wonderful natural strong- hold; however, it demonstrates the nature of society in those early days. In 1540 when these Europeans first visited this spot the conditions of Europe werft much about the same: e. g., the Feudal System stilfe flourished, the Barons still had their castles, might-, was still right; and so it was with these Indians who* had -the hardihood to climb about 400 feet up a, perpendicular rock so as to make their home safes from others who were much stronger. Talk abdut; a portcuUis and draw-bridge over the moat of the* average castle, there is no comparison to be drawn> for this rock of Acoma could not possibly be scaled by any other than a native. iBut our expedition must hurry as it has quite an expanse of territory yet to go over. The next town visited was Tiguex, now known as Bernalillo, a few miles north of Albuquerque; and you will appreciate