But such luxuries were not served every day.  Far from it.  For several days in succession we had nothing but corn-cakes and water.  Therefore our joy was great when at last we one day espied some sheep on the other side of the river.  They belonged to a woman who watched them herself, while wintering among the rocks with her herd of about a dozen sheep and goats.  I sent my interpreter over to make a bargain for one of the animals, and as he did not return after a reasonable lapse of time, and as we were all hungry, I went across the river myself to see the dashing widow.  I found my man .still bargaining, lying on the ground stretched out on his stomach and resting his head on his hands.  She was grinding corn on the metate and seemed to pay little attention to either of us, but her personal attractiveness at once impressed me.  She was still in her best years and had fine bright eyes.  A ribbon dyed with the native yellow dye from lichens ran through the braids of her hair, and was marvellously becoming to her almost olive complexion.  I could not help saying, “How pretty she is!” to which the interpreter, in a dejected mood, replied:  “Yes, but she will not sell anything, and I have been struggling hard.”  “Of course, she will sell,” said I, “handsome as she is!” at which remark of mine I noticed she smiled.  Though I judged from the way in which she wore her hair, in two braids, hanging in a loop in the neck, that she had been in association with the Mexicans, I did not expect that she could understand Spanish so well.  I immediately returned to my camp to fetch some beads and a red handkerchief to make an impression on my obdurate belle.  But on my way back to her I met my interpreter, who brought the glad tidings that she had made up her mind to sell, and that I might send for the animal whenever I wanted it.  The price was one Mexican silver dollar.  So I sent my “extras” along with the money, and in return received a fine sheep with long white wool, when all we had hoped for was only a goat.  There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that my felicitous compliment brought about this happy result.

During our travels along the river, every day we came upon traps for catching fish.  The Tarahumares have various modes of fishing.  Sometimes they manage to catch fish with their hands in crevices between stones, even diving for them.  In the shallow parts of the rivers and in the brooks, following the course of the stream, two stone walls a foot or two high are built.  These walls converge at the lower end and form a channel, in which is placed horizontally a mat of stalks of the eagle fern (Pteris aquilina).  When the fish attempt to cross this mat, through which the water passes freely, they are intercepted.  Often the fish caught in this way are only an inch long, but none is too small for a Tarahumare to reject.

Other similar walls form square or oblong corrals, where the fish can easily enter, but not so readily find a way out.  After dark the owners come with lighted torches and carefully examine the corrals, turning up every stone.  The fish are blinded by the glare of the light and can be caught and thrown into baskets.  Frogs, tadpoles, larvae, and water-beetles are also welcome.