Debut

To the Mescalero Apache reservation in southern New Mexico last week went many a Navaho, Comanche, Kiowa and Oklahoma Apache tribesman, plus hundreds of white vacationists, to join the 800 Mescaleros in a tribal ceremony. Hosts were Paul and Charles Evans, rich Apaches. The occasion: presentation of their 16-year-old daughters, Rebecca and Carolyn, to Indian society.

Against blue Sierra Blanca Peak, the guests pitched their tents, then set about the business of the party: baseball, rodeo performances, powwowing, eating. When night fell the dancing began to the monotonous beat of tom-toms. All night the Apaches danced. Disdaining sleep, they returned to their baseball, rodeo, powwowing, eating. Night came again; again the Apaches danced it through.

Now & then one of the debutantes, beautifully dressed in fringed and beaded buckskin and wearing beaded moccasins, would steal away and snatch a few minutes' sleep, returning when the beat of the tom-toms quickened. On the third day the Apaches and their guests amused themselves with baseball, rodeo performances, powwowing, eating. On the third night they danced again.

As the sun rose after 72 hours of continuous funning, the guests packed their bright tents and departed, leaving the Misses Evans with piles of gifts: Indian jewelry, saddles, beaded costumes, silk underwear and stockings.

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