New Mexico: Running for the Rebellion

Tago is a Taos Pueblo "runner" who is charged with delivering a cord with numbered knots to the leaders of various Pueblos on the Camino Real trail, along the Rio Grande River. The knots count how many days until a revolt against Spain officially begins. The San Juan medicine man, Pope, coordinates the rebellion and is considered the leader, for a time, of all Pueblo people.

This story is a fictional account of the “Pueblo Revolt” that took place in New Mexico in August of 1680. The revolt was against the colonists of Spain who came looking for gold and silver but stayed to ranch and build Christian missions. The “Pueblo Revolt” is considered the most successful Native American rebellion against European colonists.

Note: Though this is historical fiction and the characters have been developed to accommodate a story, their attributes and development may be useful as reference points and inspirations.