14 
COYOTEROS.—PINAL LENAS.—TONTOS.—YAMPAIS. 
Between the Colorado Chiqyito and Rio Gila roam two hands of Apaches, called Coyoteros 
and Pinal Lenas, consisting probably of 300 warriors, or 1,500 persons each. They live 
among the mountains, and occasionally cultivate patches of soil, producing Avbeat, corn, and 
squashes. In one instance a field of cotton was discovered near their rancherias. Idowever, 
not being fond of quiet pursuits, they subsist partly upon roasted mescal and pinon nuts, which 
they find in their wanderings, and place their main dependence for support upon forays into 
Sonora, proving a great scourge to the Mexican frontier. They are not wanting in native 
shrewdness, and, though generally hostile to parties of white men whom they may meet, they 
have been known to receive Americans into their country with kindness and hospitality. There 
are some fine valleys and many fertile spots within their limits, and, if they were willing to 
work, they well know Iioav to subsist without plunder. 
AVe noAV reach the San Francisco mountains, and enter the hunting-grounds of the Cosninos. 
They are said to roam northward to the big bend of the Colorado. The vast region toAvard the 
south, lying between Rio Verde and the Aztec range of mountains, isoccupied by Tontos ; Avhile 
west and northAvest of that range, to the mouth of Rio Virgen, are found a tribe calling them¬ 
selves Yabipais, or, as sometimes written, Yampais. Their numbers are estimated at 2,000 
each. Leroux and Savedra believe these three to he allied tribes ; but there exists some doubt 
upon the subject. The language of the latter proves that they have an affinity with the Mojaves 
and Cuchans of Rio Colorado ; while, according to Don Jose Cortez, the Tontos belong to the 
Apache nation. I have myself found Tonto villages intermingled Avith those of Pinal Leilas, 
north of Rio Gila, Avith whom they lived on friendly terms, Avith like customs and habits ; 
except that they subsisted almost exclusively upon mescal and pinones,* and possessed none of 
the fruits of agriculture. Yet the country they now occupy sIioavs traces of ancient acequias, 
and has extensive valleys of great fertility, which might again be cultivated. 
Mr. Leroux, on his return from California to NeAV Mexico in May 1854, followed the river 
Gila from its mouth to the Pima village ; and thence crossing over to the junction of the Salinas 
with Rio Verde, ascended the latter stream for some distance, and crossed from it to our trail upon 
Flax river.f He represents Rio Verde! as a fine large stream ; in some cases rapid and deep, in 
others spreading out into Avide lagoons. The ascent Avas by gradual steppes, which, stretching 
into plains, abounded in timber—pine, oak, ash, and walnut. The river banks \vere covered with 
ruins of stone houses and regular fortifications ; which, he says, appeared to have been the 
Avork of civilized men, but had not been occupied for centuries. They Avere built upon the most 
fertile tracts of the valley, where Avere signs of acequias and of cultivation. The Avails Avere of 
solid masonry, of rectangular form, some tAventy to thirty paces in length, and yet remaining 
ten or fifteen feet in height. The buildings were of two stories, Avith small apertures or loop¬ 
holes for defence when besieged. From his description, the style of building seems to be simi- 
ff Pinones are edible nuts, from a species of pine tree which grows abundantly in this region. 
f Rio Colorado Chiquito. 
+ This river is called by Mr. Antoine Leroux, Rio San Francisco. He passed along it with a small party in the summer 
of 1854. The following description of the country and the rivers referred to has been kindly furnished to accompany this 
report: 
Extract from Leroux’s Journal, on his last trip from Pueblo de los Angeles, California, to New Mexico. 
“ May 16. 1854.—This morning left Rio Gila, and camped on Rio Salado. 
“ May 17._Camp on Rio San Francisco. From last camp here, road hilly and stony ; wood, grass, and water plenty. 
During the day we saw and examined the ruins of some abandoned Indian villages. 
■ 1 May 18.—Camp on San Francisco. To-day, tolerably good road, wood plenty, splendid water, and grass rich. AVoods 
are the walnut, cotton, locust, sycamore and willow trees. 
“ May 19.—Camp on San Francisco. Road pretty good, but we were obliged to ford the river about ten times. Wood, 
water, and grass in abundance. 
1 ‘ May 20.—Camp on San Francisco. Road hilly and stony, but still easy enough to travel. Wafer splendid ; grass plenty ; 
cotton-wood, ash, sycamore, &c., in quantities. 
ll May 21.—Camp on San Francisco. While nooning in the morning, we were struck by the beauty of some ruins, very 
likely those of some Indian town, and being in the centre of an open valley. The walls of the principal building, forming 
