PAPAGOS AND ARENENOS. 



123 



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party to have found sufficient water to supply their wants. At the time we readied there, 

 Jimenez was engaged in observing for latitude and longitude at Quitohaquita, 



The valley of Sonoyta is not very wide^ but affords pasturage for large numbers of cattle. 

 Numerous springs course through it for short distances, and then sink into subterraneous clian- 

 nels. These, together with the '' Ojos Escondidos/' '' Pozo Yerde/' the well at Cobota, and tbe 



springs at Q 



line that can be relied upon ; nor are 



these always sure, as experience taught us. There is no timber within several miles of the 

 settlement ; firewood has to be brought on the back of the patient hurro. 



The town of Sonoyta is the door of the State of Sonora, from the California side. It is a resort 

 for smugglers, and a den for a number of low, abandoned Americans, who have been compelled 

 to fly from justice. Some few Mexican rancheros had their cattle in the valley near by. It is 

 a miserable poverty-stricken place, and contrasts strangely with the comparative comfort of an 

 Indian village of Papagos within sight. 



The Papagos wander over the country from San Javier as far west as the Tinajas Altas. 

 They were at one time a formidable tribe, and waged unceasing; war against the Mexicans. 



Having sustained repeated losses, they at length sought their God, who is said to dwell upon 

 the high peak of Babuquivari, to ask his aid and countenance in their last grand fight with their 

 enemies. They assembled their families and herds of horses and cattle within an amphitheatre 

 enclosed by the mountain ridges, and battled it manfully for many days at its entrance ; but 

 their God could not turn the fate of war, and they suffered an overpowering defeat ; since that 

 time they have been quiet and peaceable. 



We passed many deserted Papago rancherias ; they are generally situated some distance from 

 water, as there seems to be a superstition about living near it ; the women, who do all the 

 labor, have to bring it in ollas, or earthen vessels, a long way, bearing it on their heads ; they 

 are compelled to keep very large ones filled, which are sunk in the ground, and capable of holding 

 a great many gallons. This tribe is comparatively well off in worldly goods; they 23lant and 

 grow corn and wheat, and possess cattle, and many fine horses. Nature supplies them with 

 numerous useful plants which grow spontaneously ; from the suwarrow (Cereus Giganteus) and 

 pitaya they make an excellent preserve by simply boiling the fruit down without sugar, and 

 also a candy of the same material. They collect from a low bush growing wild, seeds called 

 ^^ Chie,'' which are coated with a gummy substance ; placed in water these become partly dis- 

 solved, and make a cool and refreshing drink, a refreshment much needed in that warm country. 

 The women are better dressed than most Indian women ; they all wear skirts of manta or calico, 

 covering the body from the hips down. They appear to be a good, quiet, and inoffensive tribe. 

 A sub-tribe of the Papagos, called Arenencs, live on the salt lakes near the Gulf of California, 



and principally subsist upon fish. 



North of Sonoyta, and about forty miles distant, is a rugged serrated range of mountains called 

 ^^ Sierra del Ajo," represented to be rich in copper, gold and silver. A company was engaged 

 in attempts at mining, but, from the scarcity of water, with little hopes of success. The great 

 distance necessary to transport the ore on pack-mules before reaching navigation, will render 



thei^ efforts futile and unprofitable. 



The section west from Sonoyta to the Colorado has already been described. In August we were 

 enabled to complete that portion of the w^ork, and although engaged upon it during the wet season, 

 barely sufficient water was to be had for our wants. The heat had become so great as to compel ns 

 to operate entirely with signal-fires by night. Monuments are placed near Quitobaquita, Agua 



