DETENTION AT URES. 
449 
After the Opate boy had been killed by the arrows 
of his enraged pursuers, his three companions succeed- 
ed in regaining their horses, and pushing on after the 
main body of the party. The Indians, meanwhile, had 
got before them, and, riding fearlessly up to the re- 
treating Mexican horsemen, plunged their lances into 
their backs. Not one attempted to defend himself, 
or to discharge his gun. Quietly they submitted to 
be transfixed by the enemy’s lances, until seven were 
killed. The American fearing all would be cut 
off, told them they must adopt one of two alterna- 
tives, as the only means of saving their lives ; namely, 
either make a stand and defend themselves, or abandon 
the recaptured animals. The latter course was pur- 
sued. The animals were left ; and the Apaches, having 
again secured their stolen property, retired. 
This narrative exhibits the poltroonery of the Mexi- 
cans in no stronger light than do incidents continually 
taking place. I have been told by many Mexican gen- 
tlemen and military officers, that ten Apaches will put 
a hundred of the lower class of their countrymen 
to flight. They become panic-stricken ; and if forced 
to discharge their guns, they do so at random, turning 
their faces and generally closing their eyes. In 
Chihuahua I heard of several stratagems used by 
the Mexicans, by which they had overpowered their 
adversaries ; but in open fights, which are very rare, 
the Apaches are generally the victors. We often hear 
of the effect of fear upon a single mule, which will 
stampede a large herd, without their knowing the cause 
of the alarm. The Mexicans seem to be possessed of 
similar fears, which produce similar results. 
VOL. I. — 29 
