CHAPTER VIII
AMONG THE INDIANS
Little Myrtle grew brighter day by day. She even grew merry anddeveloped a fine sense of humor, showing new traits in her hithertoundeveloped character. The girl never mentioned her injury noradmitted that she suffered any pain, even when directly questioned.Indeed she was not uncomfortable during that splendid automobile rideover mountain and plain into the paradise of the glowing West. Neverbefore in her life had Myrtle enjoyed an outing, except for an hour ortwo in a city park; never before had she known a friend to care forher and sympathize honestly with her griefs. Therefore this experiencewas so exquisitely delightful that her responsive heart nearly burstwith gratitude. Pretty thoughts came to her that she had never hadbefore; her luxurious surroundings led her to acquire dainty ways anda composed and self-poised demeanor.
"Our rosebud is unfolding, petal by petal, and beginning to bloomgloriously," said Patsy to sympathetic Uncle John. "Could anyone bemore sweet or lovely?"
Perhaps almost any girl, situated as Myrtle Dean was, would haveblossomed under similar influences. Certain it was that Uncle Johncame to have a tender affection for the poor child, while the Major'sbig heart had warmed from the first toward the injured girl. Beth andPatsy were devoted to their new friend and even Mumbles was never sohappy as when Myrtle would hold and caress him. Naturally the formerwaif responded freely to all this wealth of affection and strove to becompanionable and cheery, that they might forget as much as possibleher physical helplessness.
Mumbles was not the least important member of the party, but proveda constant source of amusement to all. In the novel domains they nowtraversed the small dog's excitable nature led him to investigateeverything that seemed suspicious, but he was so cowardly, in spite ofthis, that once when Patsy let him down to chase a gopher or prairiedog--they were not sure which--the animal turned at bay and sentMumbles retreating with his stubby tail between his legs. Hiscomradeship for Wampus surprised them all. The Canadian would talkseriously to the dog and tell it long stories as if the creature couldunderstand every word--which perhaps he did. Mumbles would sit upbetween the driver and Patsy and listen attentively, which encouragedWampus to talk until Patsy in self-defense turned and tossed the fuzzyanimal in to Myrtle, who was always glad to receive him.
But Patsy did not always sit on the front seat. That honor was dividedamong them all, by turns, except the Major, who did not care for theplace. Yet I think Patsy rode there oftener than anyone else, and itcame to be considered her special privilege because she had firstclaimed it.
The Major, after the incident at Gallup, did not scorn Wampus soopenly as before; but he still reserved a suspicion that the fellowwas at heart a coward and a blusterer. The chauffeur's sole demerit inthe eyes of the others was his tremendous egotism. The proud remark:"I am Wampus!" was constantly on his lips and he had wonderful talesto tell to all who would listen of his past experiences, in every oneof which he unblushingly figured as the hero. But he really handledthe big touring car in an admirable manner, and when one afternoona tire was punctured by a cactus spine by the roadside--their firstaccident--they could not fail to admire the dexterous manner in whichhe changed the tube for a new one.
From Gallup they took a wagon road to Fort Defiance, in the NavajoIndian reservation; but the Navajos proved uninteresting people, noteven occupying themselves in weaving the famous Navajo blankets, whichare now mostly made in Philadelphia. Even Patsy, who had longed to"see the Indians in their native haunts," was disgusted by their filthand laziness, and the party expected no better results when they cameto the adjoining Moki reservation. Here, however, they were happilydisappointed, for they arrived at the pueblo of Oraibi, one ofthe prettiest villages on the mesa, on the eve of one of theircharacteristic snake dances, and decided to remain over night andsee the performance. Now I am not sure but the "Snake Dance" was soopportune because Uncle John had a private interview with the nativechieftain, at which the head Snake Priest and the head Antelope Priestof the tribe were present. These Indians spoke excellent English andthe chief loved the white man's money, so a ceremony that has beenheld during the month of August for many centuries--long before theSpanish conquistadors found this interesting tribe--was found to be ontap for that very evening. The girls were tremendously excited at theprospect and Wampus was ordered to prepare camp for the night--thefirst they had spent in their automobile and away from a hotel. Notonly was the interior of the roomy limousine converted into sleepingquarters for the three girls, but a tent was spread, one side fastenedto the car while the other was staked to the ground. Three wirefolding cots came from some hidden place beneath the false bottom ofthe car, with bedding enough to supply them, and these were for theuse of the men in the tent. The two "bedrooms" having been thusprepared, Wampus lighted the tiny gasoline stove, over which Patsy andBeth enthusiastically cooked the supper. Beth wanted to "Newburg" thetinned lobster, and succeeded in creaming it very nicely. They hadpotato chips, coffee and toasted Holland rusks, as well, and allthoroughly enjoyed the improvised meal.
Their camp had been pitched just at the outskirts of the Indianvillage, but the snake dance was to take place in a rocky glen somedistance away from the pueblo and so Uncle John instructed Wampus toremain and guard their outfit, as the Moki are notorious thieves. Theyleft the lean little chauffeur perched upon the driver's seat, smokingone of his "stogie" cigars and with Mumbles sitting gravely besidehim.
Myrtle hobbled on her crutches between Beth and Patsy, who carriedlittle tin lanterns made with lamp chimneys that had candles insidethem. They first visited the chief, who announced that the ceremonieswere about to begin. At a word from this imposing leader a big Indiancaught up Myrtle and easily carried her on his shoulder, as if shewere light as a feather, leading the way to the rocky amphitheatre.Here were assembled all the inhabitants of the village, forming a widecircle around the performers. The snakes were in a pit dug in thecenter of the space, over which a few branches had been placed. Thisis called the "kisi."
These unique and horrifying snake dances of the Moki have beendescribed so often that I need not speak of this performance indetail. Before it was half over the girls wished they were back intheir automobile; but the Major whispered that for them to leave wouldcause great offense to the Indians and might result in trouble. Thedance is supposedly a religious one, in honor of the Rain God, and atfirst the snakes were not used, but as the dancers became wrought upand excited by their antics one by one they reached within the kisiand drew out a snake, allowing the reptiles to coil around theiralmost naked bodies and handling them with seeming impunity. A fewwere harmless species, as bull snakes and arrow snakes; but mostly theMoki used rattlesnakes, which are native to the mesa and its rockycliffs. Some travelers have claimed that the fangs of the rattlers aresecretly withdrawn before the creatures are handled, but this has beenproved to be untrue. The most accepted theory is that the snakes arenever permitted to coil, and cannot strike unless coiled, while theweird chanting and graceful undulating motions of the dancers in somemanner "charms" or intoxicates the serpents, which are not aroused toantagonism. Occasionally, however, one of the Moki priests is bitten,in which case nothing is done to aid him and he is permitted to die,it being considered a judgment of the Rain God for some sin he hascommitted.
The barbaric rites seemed more picturesque, as well as more revolting,in that they took place by the flickering light of torches andbonfires in a rock strewn plain usually claimed by nature. When thedancers were more frenzied they held the squirming serpents in theirmouths by the middle and allowed them to coil around their necks,dancing wildly the while. The whole affair was so nauseating andoffensive that as soon as it was possible the visitors withdrew andretired to their "camp." It was now almost midnight, but the path waslighted by the little lanterns they carried.
As they approached the automobile Uncle John was disturbed not to seeWampus at his post. A light showed from the front of the car, but thechauffeur seemed to be missing. Coming nearer, howeve
r, they soonwere greeted by a joyous barking from Mumbles and discovered Wampussquatting upon the ground, puffing at the small end of the cigar andseeming quite composed and tranquil.
"What are you doing there?" demanded the Major, raising his lanternthe better to light the scene.
"I play jailer," grunted Wampus, without moving. "Him want to steal;Mumble he make bark noise; for me, I steal too--I steal Injun."
A dusky form, prone upon the ground, began to squirm under Wampus, whowas then discovered to be sitting upon a big Indian and holding himprisoner. The chauffeur, partly an Indian himself, knew well how tomanage his captive and quieted the fellow by squeezing his throat withhis broad stubby fingers.
"How long have you had him there?" inquired Uncle John, looking at thediscomfited "brave" curiously.
"About an hour," was the reply.
"Let him go, then. We have no prison handy, and the man has perhapsbeen punished enough."
"I have wait to ask permission to kill him," said Wampus solemnly. "Heknow English talk, an' I have told him he is to die. I have describe,sir, several torture we make on Injun who steal, which make him thinkhe die several time. So he is now prepare for the worst."
The Indiam squirmed again, and with a sigh Wampus arose and set himfree.
"See," he said; "you are save only by mercy of Great White Chief. Youver' lucky Injun. But Great White Chief will leave only one eye herewhen he go away. If you try to steal again the eye will see, an' thenthe torture I have describe will be yours. I am Wampus. I have spoke."
The Indian listened intently and then slunk away into the darknesswithout reply. The night had no further event and in spite of theirunusual experiences all slept excellently and awoke in the morningrefreshed and ready for new adventures.