There was, nonetheless, the nagging worry she shouldn’t allow him out of sight. It was her first calf, and she was still uncertain what his purpose was.

The day was hot and she was loath to turn back down the rocky path in search of that which might appear of its own accord at any moment.

She put her snotty bovine nose in the air and bawled for the calf, listening for the delinquent to come scrambling up the back-trail, where some trifle had diverted his attention. The heifer finally decided something was amiss and allowed herself a moment to reflect and ruminate on the whereabouts of the troublesome little creature. Everything else he gathered round him, and speculated on the role each might play in the days to come… knowing his life might well depend on them. The other clothes (he now considered them his) were draped over a juniper to dry. He arranged the clothing around the periphery of the flames in such a manner they should cause little smoke and yet be totally consumed. A fire built with wood he’d found so neatly stacked. The ragged pants, the tattered shirt unworthy of the name, and the muddy shoes coming apart at the seams-all these things he put in the fire.

He was from a hard land, accustomed to hard times, and knew no better. None of these things seemed cause for concern, however. One arm hung limp from the shoulder and swung useless as he turned to search down canyon. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form, including electronic media, without express permission of the author or his agent.īy sundown he had come quite far for one afoot in that country, sun-blistered and worn to the limit of endurance.

This book is for Frank Begay, who taught me about his people, and for Jimmy Birdsell, who taught me about my own. In the back pages you will find a small glossary of Navajo words and terms used in this story, the spelling of which may vary somewhat, depending on which expert opinion is referenced. As always, many sincere thanks to those Navajo friends and classmates who provided “grist for the mill.” Their insight into Navajo thought and reservation life helped fuel a lifelong interest in their culture, one I had once only observed from the other side of the fence.Ĭover art by Labrona & “Other”, from the Painted Desert Project on the Navajo reservation.

Mojado by R. Allen Chappell