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Show I \ ~. -..G...), ~ ~ -<t 1::1 ~ G) ...c..l ·=- G) 1::0 '1:1 -0 c cO ;a c ~ I ..;. ..... G) "~"c ~ • ])J~T.ANOES AND HEIOOTS. 43 pumpkins, melons, an·d other vegetn.bles. Most of the crops are looking well, and it is rather surprising with what pride they show us that they aro able to cultivate crops like white men. They are still occupying lodges, and refuse to build houses, assigning as a reason that when any ono <lies in a lodge it is always abandoned, and very often burned with all the effi cts of the deceased, and when houses have been built for them they have been treated in the same way. With their unclean habits, a fixed residence would doubtless be no pleasant place. This beautiful valley has been the home of a people of a higher grade of civilization than the present Ute . Evidences of this are quite abundant; on our way here yesterday we discovered, in many places along the trail, fragments of pottery; and wandering about the little farms to day, I find the foundations of ancient h uses, and mealing stones that were not used by nomadic people, as thoy ar too heavy to be transported by such tribes, and are deeply worn. The Indians, seeing that I ·am interested in these matters, take pains to show me s v ml other places where these evidences remain, and toll me that they know nothing p.bout the people who formerly dwelt here. They further toll me that up in the canon the rocks are covered with pictures. July 5.-The last two days have been spent in studying the language of the Indians, and making collections of articles illustrating the state of arts among them . Frank Goodman informs me, this morning, that he has concluded not to go on with tho party, saying that he baR seen danger enough. It will be remembered that he was one of the crew on the ''No Name," when she was wrecked. As our boats are rather heavily loaded, I am content that be should leave, although he has been a faithful man. We start early on our return to the boats, taking horses with us from the reservation, and two Indians, who are to bring the animals back. Whirlpool Canon is fourteen and a quarter miles in length, the· walls varying fi·om one thousand eight hundred to two thousand four hundred feet in height. The course of tho river through Island Park is nine miles. • |