[180] The Hon. W. G. Ritch is in possession of a number of highly interesting data gathered from the Indians in relation to the sacred fire. All of these he has, in the kindest manner, placed at my disposal. I, however, defer their mention for a future report, in connection, as I hope, with the pueblo of Jemez. I shall but refer here to a single one. There were, formerly, several fires burning. One of these, that of the _cacique_, was never permitted to go out, so that, in case one of the others should accidentally become extinguished, it could always be rekindled from the "extra-holy" one. [181] Even Ruiz affirmed that the tale, as far as the Pecos were concerned, was certainly true. He never could get to see the reptile, however. It is a rattlesnake (_cascabel_). [182] I am informed by Mr. Miller that blocks or "chunks" of obsidian, as large as a fist or larger, are found in the Arroyo de Taos. This would be about 60 miles north of Santa Fé. [183] In regard to the regular indentation of arrow-heads, I was informed by Mr. Debrant, then incidentally at Baughl's (on the 4th of September), that these were produced by contact with fire. Applying a glowing coal (the end of a burning stick) to the edge of the flint, and blowing on it steadily, after a few seconds a speck of the mineral will fly off, leaving a groove or indentation proportionate in size to the coal used and to the length of time applied. Thus, an arrow-head may be indented in a very short time, which would be impossible by chipping. [184] Moss-agate is also found, but rarely. [185] Compare W. H. Holmes, _U. S. Geographical Survey_, 1876, p. 404. [186] That stones were used, both in offensive as well as in defensive warfare, is proven by Castañeda, ii. cap. v. p. 178; i. cap. xii. p. 69. It is possible that the pebbles used were kept on the roofs, as was the custom among the ancient Mexicans. [187] Thus the probability of the destruction of a part of Pecos by the Tanos, on the 10th of August, 1680, is still further increased. [188] Therefore the massacre of all their available men by the Comanches, already mentioned. I could not as yet find the date of the event. It is a well-known tradition, however. It occurred in the _moro_. [189] That constant guard was kept on the housetops is stated by Castañeda, ii. p. 179. [190] The defensive constructions of the pueblos, as late as 1540, were the houses. The wall of Pecos is an exception. Castañeda says (i. cap. xiv. p. 80): "As these villages have no streets, that all the houses are of the same height and common to all the inhabitants, these large houses must be captured first, because they are the points of defence." [191] The church of Pecos, although it had lost all its former splendor, still was used till about 1840. Afterwards it was abandoned.