THE INDIANS OF SONORA. 129 
The Yaqui war was of course a myth. These industrious 
labourers at first took flight, not knowing what to make of it ; 
- but after a time, as nothing dreadful happened to them, they 
- returned to their usual occupation. 
A few words are due to the Indians of this State, for they have 
the reputation of being the quietest and most frugal in the 
| whole of Mexico. The Yaquis are the hewers of wood and 
drawers of water; their homes are in the South, but they are to 
be found everywhere. In appearance they are not unlike the 
| Papagos ; but are not so well off—judging by those whom I met 
doing most of the labour at Hermosillo and elsewhere. They 
are of a rich copper colour, with long black hair and rather large 
‘ noses; they go about almost naked, with only a small piece of 
} linen about their loins; they are very active and trustworthy, - 
| and obey every order they receive from the Mexicans in the 
} most subservient way. A Mexican sigforetta will not even 
} take a parcel home from the shop where she has just bought 
{ it, but the first Yaqui that passes will run off with it without 
} aword. I have seen this a hundred times. It is considered 
, degrading to intermarry with the Yaquis. 
| The next tribe are the Opitas, of whom I have said enough ; 
| they will not work for hire, and stand on perfect equality 
| with the Mexican population—excepting of course the chief 
| families, which are the curse of this unfortunate country. — 
|| Lastly, there are the Papagos, who hold themselves cee 
| apart, have their own Government, and do not mix in politics, 
and only come in contact with the Mexicans for purposes of 
de. 
Besides these three semi-civilised tribes—the Aztecs of 
Sonora—there area few wild Indians along the coast, but these 
are dying out like their brethren further north, and have 
already ceased to be troublesome. 
VOL. II. K 
