of smaller
buildings on them. Ladders were used in reaching the roof and we found
some that were unbroken lying on the ground. The doors were made of the
regulation size and square windows cut through.

CHAPTER XIII

TWO HONORS

The houses were not separate, but the whole village was like one big
rambling house of many rooms. We cautiously entered one of the houses.

As soon as our eyes became accustomed to the dim light we saw that it
had been deserted for a long time. There were no marks of recent
habitation.

On the hard, worn floor were shards of pottery of red and grey clay that
had been baked according to the method of the tribe. In the blackened
fireplace was a heap of rags.

"I bet the Apaches have cleared this town out," said Jim, reaffirming my
previous statement.

"There's no doubt of it," I replied. "It's too near their territory
anyway. It makes me feel sorry for these people. They must have been
comfortable here and they were no doubt superior to the other Indian
tribes because they have built themselves houses instead of living in
tepees."

"Yes," remarked Jim, "and instead of living on wild meat they raised
grain. You can see where they have crushed it in this round stone,
that's hollowed out."

We were standing near the fireplace as Jim was speaking, when I saw the
rubbish moving slightly, and then a great hairy spider rushed out at us.

"Look out, Jim," I cried, in alarm. "There's a big spider coming for
you."

And I made for the door. If there's one thing I hate more than another
it's spiders. If it had been a roaring mountain lion or a stealthy
Apache or even a snake, I would not have cared, but a spider! that was
my particular horror.

It's peculiar about folks; each one has some particular aversion that is
natural and not unreasonable. I have known people that would have a fit
if you threw a cat at them. Actually faint with horror if a cat should
jump in their laps. Others have the same feeling towards snakes. My
horror was spiders.

I think if that one should crawl up my arm I Would almost expire with
horror. That was the reason I took to the door. This fellow was no
ordinary customer, I can assure you.

His hairy, bent legs carried his body in the center and he had poisonous
nippers and wicked little eyes. He rattled across the hard floor
straight for Jim. My cry caused Jim to look down and he jumped to one
side just in time to escape the rush of the reptile.

I exp