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 Tanor% 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. 
