The Paiutis were far more independent and warlike, placing their yoke upon the weaker tribe.

Indeed, when I first talked with the older Washoes and Paiutis thirty years ago they were full of stories of big wars between themselves.

They showed me rocks near to the present town of Verdi, on the line of the Southern Pacific, on which their ancestors had made certain inscriptions which they interpreted as warnings to the Paiutis not to dare trespass beyond that sign, and the Paiutis had similar notices inscribed upon bowlders near to their boundary lines.
As a result of one of their fights the Washoes were forbidden the use of horses, and it is only since the whites have exercised control that the weaker tribe has dared to disregard this prohibition.
To-day they number in the region of six hundred men, women and children.

On account of their nomadic habits it is impossible to secure a complete census.
In appearance they are heavy and fat, though now and again a man of fine, muscular form and good height is found.

The women have broad, shapeless figures and clumsy, deliberate movements.