Note 180 — II. (continued 2)

The Hon. W. G. Ritch is in possession of a number of highly interesting data gathered from the Indians in relation to the sacred fire. All of these he has, in the kindest manner, placed at my disposal. I, however, defer their mention for a future report, in connection, as I hope, with the pueblo of Jemez. I shall but refer here to a single one. There were, formerly, several fires burning. One of these, that of the cacique, was never permitted to go out, so that, in case one of the others should accidentally become extinguished, it could always be rekindled from the "extra-holy" one.