GUAYMAS. 
465 
chiefly gained by Ashing, they have no desire to steal 
animals, which would be of no use to them; nor do they 
take any prisoners. To murder and plunder small par- 
ties of Mexicans, seems to be their only aim, and every 
arrow or lance thrown by the Ceris that pierces the 
skin, causes death, as all are poisoned.'^ Many expe- 
ditions, fitted out at a great expense, have been sent 
against them ; but, though commanded by competent 
officers, all have failed. The number being so small, 
they manage when pursued to conceal themselves where 
they cannot be found. The island of Tiburon, as well 
as the main land adjacent, is exceedingly barren and 
destitute of water ; hence parties have suffered greatly 
in the campaigns against them, without accomplishing 
any thing. I was told that the government had al- 
ready expended more than a thousand dollars for every 
male of the tribe. The last serious attack of these peo- 
ple was made upon a gentleman travelling to Guaymas 
in his carriage with his family and attendants, embrac- 
ing sixteen persons. They were surprised in an unfre- 
quented place and every soul put to death. 
^ I was told that the Ceris tipped their arrows with poison ; hut 
how it was effected I could never learn. Lieutenant Hardy, who made 
a voyage up the Gulf in 1826, visited Tiburon, and had some intercourse 
with this people, thus describes the process : “ They first kill a cow, and 
take from fit its liver ; they then collect rattle-snakes, scorpions, centi- 
pedes, and tarantulas, which they confine in a hole with the liver. The 
next process is, to beat them with sticks, in order to enrage them ; and 
being thus infuriated, they fasten their fangs and exhaust their venom 
upon each other, and upon the liver. When the whole mass is in a state 
of corruption, the women take the arrows and pass their points through 
it ; they are then allowed to dry in the shade .” — Travels in Mexico.. 
London^ 1829. p. 298. 
VOL, T. 30 
