Page 59 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OF HOPILAND 51

being indicated by ' ' signs. ' ' Far from the ancient or
modern habitation these jars, uncovered by the wind,
are often discovered by riders on the cattle ranges.
Not only must the dusty explorer "haul water," for
even the railroads across the semi-desert are provided
with tank trains for water service, and the water tanks
of the huge locomotive tenders of all trains are of un
usual capacity.
Far out on the sandy, sage-brush plains are fre
quently seen small cairns of stones, called by the
knowing ones "Indian water signs," pointing out the
direction of water, but the more common signs are the
trails made by cattle on which a myriad of tracks in
the dust point to water, miles away perhaps, and
oftentimes, when the tracks are not fresh, leading to a
dried-up pool, surrounded by carcasses or bleaching
bones.
The Navaho herdsman or herdswoman is a person
with great responsibility, for the sheep and ponies
must have water at least every three or four days.
When a well-defined thunder-storm passes within
twenty or thirty miles of his camp he starts for the
path of its influence, knowing that there will be pools
of water and quick-springing herbs and grass. This
chasing a thunder-storm is novel — and much more
satisfactory than chasing a rainbow. Even the wild
cattle scent the water and make for it, running like
race-horses.
As a matter of fact, the animals of the desert have