Only by accident is some little spot of grass spared here and there, and progress becomes almost an impossibility.
Immediately upon our arrival I went to see the gobernador, and, strange to say, I found him engaged in teaching his young wife how to weave.

Three months ago his first wife had died of smallpox.

Old bachelors and widowers have a hard time in getting wives, because the Tarahumare belles have a decided preference for young men.

But the wifeless Indian feels very unhappy, as it means that he has to do all the woman's housework, which is very laborious, and therefore thoroughly distasteful to him.

By way of fascinating this young girl, the gobernador had to exert himself to the extent of teaching her how to make girdles and wearing apparel.
The next day this gentleman returned my call, carrying his bow and arrows.