The four boys and a few fellow passengers, likewise eastward bound, alighted from the train as soon as it had stopped and took a bee-line for the dining-room, scarcely noticing their unique surroundings. But after even Tubby had pronounced his breakfast amply satisfying, the boys stepped outside with eyes and ears open for new impressions.
As they strolled along the broad, low piazza of the long Alvarado, Tubby peered through the arched sides toward the railroad.
"See the procession of Indians!" he ejaculated. "They are wearing all the clothes they own and carrying the rest of their worldly possessions on their heads!"
Andy laughed outright at this observation. "Did you ever see such clumsy legs?" he chuckled. "They are padded like a football player's."
"Worse!" commented Merritt, joining the discussion. "And those are women, too."
At that moment the line of approaching Indians broke into several groups.
Each woman squatted down on the edge of the sidewalk leading to the main entrance of the Indian Building, and spread about her the baskets and pottery which she had been carrying on her head.
The few Indian men who had sauntered on before the procession lounged nonchalantly against the arches near the doorway, gazing at their women in superior disdain.
As the boys approached, the men merely looked at them from under the black locks that straggled almost into their eyes; but the women rose clumsily to their feet, pulled their big plaid shawls more closely about their heads, and hastened to offer their wares.
"By the way, fellers," said Tubby quietly, turning to the other boys, "Uncle Mark said to tell you to pick up some souvenirs and he would foot the bill. In fact, he gave me another sealed envelope marked 'Incidentals,' and I found four ten-dollar bills in it when I opened it last night. So go ahead, and select some things for the home folks."