DETENTION AT URES. 445 
Ever since the conquest of the country, the Opate 
tribe has manifested a frank and docile character, sym- 
pathizing in all things with the whites. They early be- 
came converts to Christianity, and have ever remained 
faithful to their religion. Of their attachment to 
law, order, and peace, they have given the most une- 
quivocal proofs. 
Three companies of infantry formed from them, were 
stationed at the frontier towns of Bacuachi, Tubac, and 
Babispe; and there, it is said, for a series of years, 
they performed many acts of extraordinary valor, one 
of them having often been known to contend success- 
fully against eight or ten Apaches. In the civil wars 
of the State, they also. took conspicuous part. Their 
sense of propriety is manifested in always being well 
clothed with a clean white shirt and pantaloons, while 
their Yaqui brethren prefer going naked, or nearly so. 
Besides soldiers, they are excellent couriers, and are 
often employed to carry messages long distances on 
foot, running the greater portion of the way. In twenty- 
four hours, they have been known to run from forty to 
fifty leagues,* 
While I was confined to my room, I endeavored to 
collect such information as was within my reach relat- 
ing to the Indian tribes of the State; and as I wished to 
obtain a portrait of an Opate, Governor Cubillas was so 
kind as to send for Zanor?, the head chief of the nation, 
(to whom I have before alluded), who lived thirty 
leagues distant. A few days after, the Chief promptly 
reported himself at my quarters, accompanied by his 
* Velasco. Noticias del Estado de Sonora. 
