The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-03-04


arid country uninhabitable zone is apt
to separate two neighboring peoples. This
zone may or may not be common property,
to he roamed over by both tribes.
"Finding myself about three hundred
miles to the southwark of the United States
boundary and in the neighborhood OF the
Seris L decided to visit them. The Next
can authorities did not wish me TO make
the venture, considering it too risky. They
suggested that l might secure the escort of
a troop of soldiers, but L objected to this
plan on the ground that the Indians would
run away as quickly as the soldiers APP
peared, so that / would have no chance 10
study them. 1t was then proposed that
| should take with me a dozen or fifteen
soldiers in citizens dress, but L was OIL
cially informed that three or four Papagoes
would be equally serviceabie. This tribute
to the bravery of Mexican soldiers amused
me considerably. BY the way, the sur'l-
vors OF Robinsons expedition found their
way TO Guaymas, and the story they toiu
induced the Mexican authorities TO SEND
strong force against the Serbs. Part of the
force had orders to go by water and at
tack the island of Tiburon, while the other
part was to proceed by land Instructions
were given to kill every man, woman and
child in the trbe-fOr that is the Mexican
way of doing things. But the soldiers hnal-
ly returned with report to the effect that
Indians. OF course, the fact was that they
did not try to lind them, being afraid OF
them
80 it came about that l went into the
country of the Serbs with a very small
party, consisting besides myself, of Mr..
DinWiddie, of the bureau of ethnoloEy, a
young Mexican engineer named Alvemar-
Leon, a white driver and one Papago in
terpreter. We went to the rancho of a GER
tain Senior EncinaS, who is very remark
able man, as may be judged from the fact
that he has Kept a stock farm in the ter
rtory of these bloodthrsty savages for
many years. During that period he has
maintained himself in warfare against the
Serbs and has finally compelled them TO
cease hostilites against him. At present
the old man is about eighty years of age
and nearly blind from cataracts in both
eyes, but he is feared and respected by the
Indians, while life is made a terror by the
latter for all other rancheros in that part
of Sonora.
'Senor Encinas was the pioneer in that
region. He found good grazing country in
the territory claimed by the Serbs and so
established his stock farm there. He brought
priests with him to convert the savageS
and caught a couple OF the latter to educate
as interpreters. The plan for CiviliZing the
Indians proved a failure. They did not care
to become Christians and they killed the
senor's stock. So, finally, the senior decided
10 adopt u new course of procedure. he
summoned the Indians to a council, as
many of them as would come. and informed
them that from that time on he and his
vaqueros would Stay an Indian for every
head OF cattle that was killed. At the
same time he sent away the priests and
engaged an additional number of vaqueTos.
The indians paid no attention 10 the
warning. a few days later they killed
several head Of cattle. Without delay the
senior and his men corralled and killed a
similar number of the Seris. Then there
was war. The savages made ambushes, but
they had only bows and arrows and the
vaqueros fought bravely with their guns.
Every ambush turned out disastrously for
the Indians. Finally the Serbs made great
ambush and there was battle which re-
suited in the killing of siXty-five sayages.
That lesson proved sufficient, and the In
dams We're glad to conclude permanent
peace, agreeing that no further depieda-
tions against the senior or his property
should be attempted. From beginning to
end the lighting lasted for ten years.
After the killing of the two Americans
last spring the Serbs were very much afraid
of reprisals. For a good while they dbl not
dare TO come to the ranch OF Senior Enclnas.
At length one old woman came for the
purpose of seeing if she would be
killed. she was wei treated and
went away. Eventually confidence was
restored and, when 1 reached the
stock farm, about sixty of the saw
ages were visiting on the premises. 1
succeeded IN cOhcIIAJInS them 10 some eX-
tent by giving them "a lump OF sugar apiece.
J. ana some of them consented TO SIT for their
photographs. L paid 10 cents to each male
sitter and 20 cents TO eacn woman. one
man had sick wife and asked me TO pre-
scribe for her. l ana SO, but the senior told
me that had made a big mistake. If the
woman got better, IL was all right. But, IL
a
or anything else out OF the ordinary hap
pcned the Serbs would leave in a body
and / would have no further opportunity
10 study them. Fortunately, the health
OF my patient improved.
"No other people in North America have
SO few conceptions Of civilization as the
Serbs. They have absolutely no agriculture
As well as l could ascertain they never
put a seed in the ground or cultivate a
plant. They live almost wholly fish
waterfowl and such game as they Kill on
the mainland. The game includes large
deer like our blacktails, an eXquisttely
graceful species OF dwarf deer about the
size of a three-months fawn, peccaries
wild turkeys prairie dogs, rabbits and
quail. They take very large green turtles
in the gulf of California. Mesquite beans
they eat both cooked and raw. The mes
quite is a small spreading tree that bears
seeds in pods.
These Indians are fond OF carrion. It
makes no difference To them whether a
horse has died a natural death a week or
month ago, they deVour the flesh Sreedily.
THE feet of the animal they boil until
those parts are tender enough to bite. The
Serbs are among the very dirtiest of saw
ages. Their habits in all respects are
filthy. They seem to have almost no
amusement, though the children play with
very rude dolls. Before the whites came
they used pieces of she'll for cutting instru-
ments. / ought not 10 forget to say that
they are accustomed to catch deer by run
ming and surrounding the animals. No
traditions worth mentioning appear to exist
among them. The most interesting orna-
ment I saw worn by any of tnem was
of a al u he
rattlcs OF rattlesnakes."
RENE BACHEz
CnrneEie Works Close Down.
IN..l,r I n