Page 257 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OF HOPILAND 249

dusty Winslow. No doubt Tom has caused many of
these mysterious disappearances and the spoils borne
northward on his patient burros have promoted a
dressed-up feeling among the Hopi braves.
It has not yet been found out whether Tom gave
an exhibition of artistic lying or was telling the truth
about the following matter. Tom was starting on one
of his periodical clothes raids to Winslow, and he was
asked to bring back a can of plaster. About a week
later Tom returned with the following laconic tale,
' ' Snake bite burro, burro die ; me take can back, give
to man."
At the time it was thought that Tom had over
loaded his burro with old clothes and had invented
the story. There is much to be said on Indian in
vention. If Tom is living he is still an active citizen
of Hopiland.