Outside the chapel a piece of sheeting was raised aloft on poles by four Indians to form a canopy to protect the images from the heat of the sun. The procession moved off toward a little bower of green limbs near the bigger pyramid.
At the head of the company marched the idiot drummer, beating away with might and main on his snareless drum.
Close behind him followed two Pueblos, who fired guns as rapidly as they could load them, presumably to frighten away evil spirits.
Then came the women with the images.
The figures were placed in the little bower, so they might overlook the field where the races and sports were to take place.
Not far away on a pole at least forty feet high were suspended a sheep, pieces of bread known as tortillas, and little sacks that were filled with various kinds of grain.
These were the fruits of the field, and were thus hung as a thank offering to the Sun Father, by whose grace it was possible to raise enough to supply the community.
At length the male Pueblos were seen emerging from holes in the ground, entrances to their subterranean council chambers.
Women and children, bedecked in their handsomest garments, appeared on the terraces. They wore bright robes and sheepskin leggins, the latter being white as paper.
Ordinarily these Indians wore clothes in which they could have passed muster in any civilized community, but now all who were to take part in the ceremonies appeared stripped to the breechclout, some of which were fancifully decorated and adorned.