REMARKS UPON THE APACHES. 
117 
exceedingly savage and brutal. They have very little cultivated land, nor does their country 
supply them with any plenty of spontaneous productions. They are cruel to those who have 
the misfortune to fall into their hands; and among them are several apostates. They go 
entirely naked, but make their incursions on horses of great swiftness, which they have stolen 
from other parts, a skin serving them for a saddle. Of the same skins they make little boots 
or shoes of one piece, and by these they are traced in their flight. They begin the attack with 
shouts, at a great distance, to strike the enemy with terror. They have not naturally any great 
share of courage, but the little they can boast of is extravagantly increased on any good success. 
In war, they rather depend on artifice than valor; and on any defeat, submit to the most igno¬ 
minious terms, but keep their treaties no longer than suits their convenience. His majesty 
has ordered that if any require peace, it should be granted, and even offered to them before 
they are attacked. But this generosity they construe to proceed from fear. Their arms are 
the common bows and arrows of the country. The intention of their incursions is plunder, 
especially horses, which they use both for riding and eating; the flesh of these creatures being 
one of their greatest dainties. 
These people, during eighty years past, have been the dread of Sonora; no part of which was 
secure from their violences. * * * Of late years, the insolence of these savages lias been 
carried to the most audacious height, from the success of some of their stratagems, principally 
owing to the variances and indolence of the Spaniards. * * * The Apaches penetrate into 
the province by difficult passes, and, after loading themselves with booty, will travel in one 
night fifteen, eighteen, or twenty leagues. To pursue them over mountains is equally dangerous 
and difficult, and in the levels they follow no paths. On any entrance into their country, they 
give notice to one another by smokes or fires, and, at a signal, they all hide themselves. The 
damages they have done * * in the villages, settlements, farms, roads, pastures, woods, 
and mines, are beyond description; and many of the latter, though very rich, have been forsaken. 
