nd. At this time also a succession of dry years set in, and
famine was the result. Their customs and manners we will describe in
another place. There are many reasons for supposing that the country had
been inhabited for a very long period, even before the Spaniards invaded
it. Some places must have been even then in ruins, or, if inhabited, it
is very strange that the Spanish records do not mention them. Such, for
instance, is Inscription Rock, about fifteen miles east of Old Zuni,
which the Spaniards must have passed when on their way back and forth to
Zuni.

Illustration of Inscription Rock.----------

The small mesa here ends with a bold front of white sandstone rock,
rising almost vertically two hundred and fifty feet high. This cut gives
us a view on the top of the table-rock. We see here the foundations of
two old buildings. A deep ravine nearly divides this little plateau into
two portions. As we have said, this rises with a bold, precipitous
front from the plain. At one place this front is completely covered with
inscriptions. Here the Indians, unknown years ago, made their strange
hieroglyphics which, presenting to our eyes only a senseless combination
of forms of animals and men and meaningless figures, may have conveyed
to them knowledge of important events. A great many Spanish inscriptions
have also been carved on the rock. Whipple calls attention to the fact
that though Spanish inscriptions placed there nearly two hundred years
ago, seem but slightly affected by atmospheric action, still some of the
Indian hieroglyphics are "almost wiped out by the fingers of time." A
number of centuries have probably rolled away since they were inscribed.

It may be interesting to know the reading of some of these old
inscriptions. A translation of one of the earliest and longest is here
given, with the exception of a few words which could not be made out:
"Bartolome Narrso, Governor and Captain-general of the province of New
Mexico, for our lord, the king, passed by this place on his return from
the pueblo of Zuni, on the 29th of July, of the year 1620, and put them
in peace, at their petition, asking the favor to become subjects of his
majesty, and anew they gave obedience; all of which they did with
free consent, knowing it prudent as well as very Christian,... to
so distinguished and gallant a soldier, indomitable and famed; we
love..."<11>

It is somewhat strange to meet thus in the interior of the United Sta