Page 242 - TheHopiIndians

234 MESA FOLK OP HOPILAND
his cornfields far out in the broad valley to the south
east of Walpi. The men who work for Mongwe seem
to be pervaded with his energy, and there is no doubt
that he is regarded by them as a captain of industry,
for he allows no laggards to eat his bread. In the
line of teaming, Cap excels. No matter how long or
bad the road or how heavy the load, his staunch little
ponies will carry it through. A rickety wagon and
providence-tempting harness seem to prove no bar
to any attempt, where money is to be earned. Hence,
though a number of the Hopi possess wagons through
the generosity of the Government, Mongwe gets most
of the hauling.
Our friend, alas, is not modest in the announce
ment of his worth. It is a subject on which his tongue
works like a spinning-jenny. At night after the cares
of the day, sitting around the camp-fire with ample
bread, unlimited rashers of bacon, and a circle of
hearers, Cap eats and talks in the plural. The word
plural calls for a sentence or two in reference to Cap 's
wives. Not that he has ever defied Hopi customs to
the extent of having more than one wife at a time, but
the list of the ones who have disagreed with him, if
completely up to date, would be interesting reading.
From what can be gleaned, in this Utopian land,
women have the right of divorce. The relationship
of Cap's children, it will be seen, is very assorted.
To hazard a guess, Cap's matrimonial ventures are
marred by his general "fussiness."