horses, ready to mount.
It is not yet time.

The light is gathering into the valley. The blue mist that hung over
the river during the night is rising upward. We can see the town. We
can trace the odd outlines of the houses. What strange structures they
are!

Some of them are higher than others: one, two, four stories in height.
They are each in form like a pyramid without its apex. Each upper story
is smaller than that below it, the roofs of the lower ones serving as
terraces for those above. They are of a whitish yellow, the colour of
the clay out of which they are built. They are without windows, but
doors lead into each story from the outside; and ladders stretch from
terrace to terrace, leaning against the walls. On the tops of some
there are poles carrying bannerets. These are the residences of the
principal war-chiefs and great warriors of the nation.

We can see the temple distinctly. It is like the houses in shape, but
higher and of larger dimensions. There is a tall shaft rising out of
its roof, and a banner with a strange device floating at its peak.

Near the houses we see corrals filled with mules and mustangs, the
live-stock of the village.

The light grows stronger. Forms appear upon the roofs and move along
the terraces. They are human forms enveloped in hanging garments,
robe-like and striped. We recognise the Navajo blanket, with its
alternate bands of black and white.

With the glass we can see these forms more distinctly; we can tell their
sex.

Their hair hangs loosely upon their shoulders, and far down their backs.
Most of them are females, girls and women. There are many children,
too. There are men, white-haired and old. A few other men appear, but
they are not warriors. The warriors are absent.

They come down the ladders, descending from terrace to terrace. They go
out upon the plain, and rekindle the fires. Some carry earthen vessels,
ollas, upon their heads, and pass down to the river. They go in for
water. These are nearly naked. We can see their brown bodies and
uncovered breasts. They are slaves.

See! the old men are climbing to the top of the temple. They are
followed by women and children, some in white, others in bright-coloured
costumes. These are girls and young lads, the children of the chiefs.

Over a hundred have climbed up. They have reached the highest root.
There is an altar near the staff. A smoke rolls up--a blaze: they have
kindled a