il they had spent all their money. Therefore, in order to
encourage our customers, we kept a barrel of firewater under the
counter as a trade starter. One or more drams of old Magnolia would
start the ball to roll finely. Our merchandise cost mark was made up
from the words, "God help us!" Every letter of this pious sentiment
designated one of the numbers from one to nine and a cross stood for
naught. When I said to uncle, "No wonder that our business prospers
under this mark--God help us!--but say, who helps our customers?" he
was nonplussed for a moment, and then he laughed heartily and said that
this had never worried him yet.

There was not much money in circulation in New Mexico at that time, as
the country was without railroads and too isolated to market farm
produce, wool and hides profitably. Mining for gold was carried on at
Pinos Altos, near the southern boundary, but the Apaches did not
encourage prospecting to any extent. During the period of the discovery
of gold in California, in the days of "forty-nine," the people of New
Mexico had become quite wealthy through supplying the California placer
miners with mutton sheep at the price of an ounce of gold dust per
head, when muttons cost half a dollar on the Rio Grande. At that rate
of profit they could afford the time and expense of driving their herds
of sheep to market at Los Angeles, even though the Apaches of Arizona
took their toll and fattened on stolen mutton.

CHAPTER VI.

INDIAN LORE. THE WILY NAVAJO

The principal source of the money supply was the United States
Government, which maintained many forts and army posts in the
Territories as a safeguard against the Apache and Navajo Indians.
During the Civil War, the Navajo Indians broke out and raided the
Mexican settlements along the Rio Grande and committed many outrages
and thefts. The Government gave these Indians the surprise of their
lives. An army detachment of United States California volunteers
swooped suddenly down on the Navajos and surprised and conquered them
in the strongholds of their own country. The whole tribe was forced to
surrender, was disarmed, and transported to Fort Stanton by the
Government.

This military reservation lies on the eastern boundary of New Mexico,
on the edge of the staked plains of Texas. Here the Navajos were kept
in mortal terror of their hereditary enemies, the Comanche Indians, for
several years, and they were so thoroughly cowed and subdued by t