me. When he set out again, he chose what is known as the Southern
Route, which runs via the Rio Gila and strikes California in its lower
section.

In the Rocky Mountains, the Indian women are rather small in stature,
but, from their constant exercise they are physically very strong.
They are naturally not wanting in modesty; but, being compelled to
work and even engage in war, they soon become roughened and hardened.
Their dresses consist principally of deer skins, and sometimes they
are very tastefully arranged. They give birth to their children with
great ease, and, as they have not become martyrs to fashions, or
dress, they suffer but little inconvenience from this provision of
nature. The children learn, during their earliest years, to look out
for themselves, and soon become expert at it. The marriage ceremony
amounts to little or nothing, and consists of a mere barter. The
warrior is obliged to pay so many horses to the father for the bride.
We remember, on one occasion, buying a superior pony from a trader,
who said that he had obtained him from his Indian owner with great
difficulty. The facts were as follows: This Indian was in love with a
young maiden of his tribe. The young girl wished some silver ornaments
which the trader had. The only thing the warrior had to exchange for
these trinkets, was his prized pony. An old chief stood by with the
trader and saw the warrior look and sigh at his horse. The chief gave
the trader a wink, and said in a low tone of voice to him: "That man
loves his horse and he loves his affianced bride, but the bride elect
will conquer. Hold on and he will sacrifice the horse to please the
girl. His love for her is the deepest feeling." Sure enough this
came true, and we never regretted that it was so. The pony proved a
valuable addition to our stock of animals.

Besides the many dangers to his flock which a person runs the risk
of, both from the numerous accidents to which it is liable, and the
unwelcome visits of the Indians when thus traveling, there are others
which may occasionally happen to his own person. He may be, while
standing guard, suddenly attacked and bitten by a mad wolf. On this
event occurring, he is almost certain to be seized with that terrible,
and we might as well add incurable disease, hydrophobia, which renders
him a most pitiful object to behold. From a human being so recently
respected and beloved by his companions, a person, thus unfortunate,
is suddenly ch