Page 215 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OF HOPILAND 207

erful Priesthood of the Bow who are said to rule Zuni.
So in the villages of Tusayan the warriors are merely
ornamental and dance bravely in some ceremonies,
though at some critical period of invasion the necessity
of drawing the "dead line" might fall upon the war
rior society, as it has beforetimes.
When one day in the year 1540 the Spaniards halted
under the Hopi towns there was consternation among
the people at the sight of the armored conquerors and
all held back in their houses for fear of them. Not so
the warrior priests, who, striding down the trail,
sprinkled a line of meal between the town and the
Spaniards. According to immemorial custom this
line of meal means that no one shall pass under penalty
of death. One of the Spanish soldiers crossed the line
and was killed by the warriors. Then the Spanish
friar who came with the expedition in quest of new
souls to save, cried out in effect, "What are we here
fort"; a volley followed; the Hopi heard the report of
a gun for the first time, and a number of them bit the
dust. The remainder fled to the village, which was
thoroughly frightened at the terrible visitation of
bearded foes. On the next day a deputation came
down to the Spanish camp bringing presents and
offering humble submission to the white men.
More than three centuries later, a body of United
States troops who were sent to coerce the Oraibi be
cause they would not send their children to school, met
with a similar experience, but by good management no