ric diamonds would be unaffected and left on the surface to be
found by explorers when oxidation had removed the last proof of their
celestial origin. That there are still lumps of iron left in Arizona
is merely due to the extreme dryness of the climate and the
comparatively short time that the iron has been on our planet. We are
here witnesses to the course of an event which may have happened in
geologic times anywhere on the earth's surface."

About a year ago several mineral claims were located in the crater by a
company of scientific and moneyed men. The required assessment work
was done and a patent for the land obtained from the government. The
object of the enterprise is for a double purpose, if possible to solve
the mystery of the mountain, and if successful in finding the
"hypothetic buried star" to excavate and appropriate it for its
valuable iron.

A shaft has been sunk one hundred and ninety-five feet deep, where a
strong flow of water was encountered in a bed of white sand which
temporarily stopped the work. A gasoline engine and drill were
procured and put in operation and the drill was driven down forty feet
further when it stuck fast in white quicksand. It is the intention of
the company to continue the work and carry it on to a successful finish.

Nothing of value was found in the hole dug, but some of the workmen in
their leisure hours found on the surface two large meteorites weighing
one hundred and one hundred and fifty pounds respectively, besides a
number of smaller fragments.

The Meteorite Mountain is in a class by itself and is, in a way, as
great a curiosity as is the Grand Canon. It is little known and has
not received the attention that it deserves. It is, indeed, marvelous
and only needs to be seen to be appreciated.

[1] The Origin of Hypotheses. 1895.

[2] Diamonds. Wm. Crookes, F.R.S. Smithsonian Report. 1897.

CHAPTER XII

THE CLIFF DWELLERS

In the canons of the Colorado river and its tributaries are found the
ruins of an ancient race of cliff dwellers. These ruins are numerous
and are scattered over a wide scope of country, which includes Arizona
and portions of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Many of them are yet in
a good state of preservation, but all show the marks of age and decay.
They are not less than four hundred years old and are, in all
probability, much older. Their preservation is largely due to their
sheltered position among the rocks and an e