“The Navajos are an interesting tribe,” said the crime specialist. “Their fabrics and their pottery are picturesque and not without beauty of design and form.” He was silent for another space, and then asked: “You are not acquainted with any of the tribes further south?”
“None across the border,” said Bat.
“Mexico has some races of interesting savages. Her hill people are hardy and independent, and they’ve never been subdued.”
“I’ve heard of them,” replied Bat.
“But ancient Mexico possessed still more noteworthy people. Humboldt, Vater and others who have studied their remains have written very interestingly of them. Auahuac was the ancient name of Mexico, and the first known race to occupy the land was the Quinome.”
“Some time ago!” remarked Mr. Scanlon, as they strode along. “Before even friend Columbus had a chance to hang up his name.”
“Yes,” replied Ashton-Kirk. “But just how long the Quinomes remained it is not known, for a number of wandering tribes seemed to have entered afterward, paused and then took up their way once more. Afterward the Toltecs came from the west—later more tribes, to the number of seven, one of whom was the Aztec.”
“I’ve heard of them,” said Scanlon. “Rather queer looking old scouts; had heads flattened in front, and——” but he paused, his eyes going to Ashton-Kirk in a curious look. Then he pursed up his mouth, and began to whistle softly.
The crime specialist’s head was bent, and he stabbed at the stubble and the brown weeds with his stick; there was an expression upon his face that told of one deep in speculation.
“The Aztecs, as you suggest, were not a physically beautiful people. And their civilisation was as deformed as their persons.” There was a halt as they breasted a hill; then he proceeded: “It has come down as a sort of tradition that Cortez, when he burned his ships, marched against a people of mild nature and advanced culture. Nothing could be more erroneous. They were a savage race who had conquered their neighbours by superior brutality; their intelligence was inferior to the North American Indian of the same time; it is true that they had a written language, but their character was greatly inferior to that of the Hindoos and other peoples.”