The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1907-06-22
GRANDE BARRANCA.

tribe that has given, and is yet giving trou-
bic to the Mexican government than all the Indians
of the republic.
The distance from Guaymas to the Gran Bar
ranca is about 100 miles, and it is idle to saw that
through these rough mountain lands there are no
railroads no stages, indeed facilities for travel
save on foot mule back Noble and servceahle
as the horse may be, one here would dream of
trusting his life to him the steep and narrow
trails of the Sierras The small Mexican Durro or
donkey is as wise as mountain goat, as sure Of
foot as Rocky ountain sheep and when left 10
himself will, day night safely carry yQu Nv the
rim Of the most dangerous precipices We left
Cuaymas at 4 a. N. AT Canoncito we met tain
of loaded burros driven by men coathed in zarapes
white cotton pants and sombreros and like our
sclves taking advantage of the early morning and
its refreshing GOODNESS Now and then we passed
a solitary '|jackal" hut from whose door yelling
ours sailed forth to dispute our right of way We
were now entering the land of the cactus that mys-
FERROUS plant so providentially protected against
the hunger of bird or beast. Bristlng from top to
root with nnumerable spines of the size and hard
ness of cambria or darning needle, the Mexican
cactus is living manifestation of president ON
nipotent and divine personality. From the dimin-
utive singa, which grows in waterless region and
whose bark when chewed gives relief to the parched
tongue, to the giant Suhauro towering to the
height of forty fifty feet, and whose pulp holds
gallons of water the cactus in its 6S5 species or
varieties is marvel of diversity and fascinating
study for the botanist.
At 10 o'clock we halted for breakfast at the
home of Signor Matthias Duran, an old and hospit-
n T Il IL,
pleasure and edifcation the survival of an old
Spanish greeting which has outlived the vicissi-
tudes of time and modern innovations.
ECHO FROM AGES OF FAITH
Mr. Duran standing on his veranda shout
ing a welcome to his friend, who, dismounting
shook hands with his host and exclaimed: "Deo
gratias" thanks be to God) and Duran, still hold
ing his guests hand, spoke back: "Para siempre
benidito sea Dios la sempre Virgin Maria; pase
adelante, amigo MO-" Forever blessed be God
and the holy Virgin Mary; come in, my friend.)
To me, coming from afar, this language sounded
as an echo from the Ages of Faith, and marvelled
at the colloqual pety and child like simplicity of
these cultured and valiant gentlemen Late that
afternoon we entered the tribal lands of the va
quis and our armed escort now became somebodies
and began to preen themselves on their courage
. and vigilance. And they were no ordinary men.
these civilized Yaquis. On long journey they
would wear down any four men of the Japhetic
stock Of sensitive nostril, sharp ear and keen
eye, nothing of any import passed unnoticed and
if it came to brush with Mexican "hold-ups" or
mountain bandits these Indian guards could be
trusted to acquit themselves brave men.
Half of the fierce and one time numerous va
duis were long ago converted to Christianity by
Spanish priests and have conformed to the way of
civilized man. They work in the mines, cultivate
patches of ground and are employed on the few
rancherias and haciendas to be found in Sonora
Others are in the service of the government hold
ing positions as mail-carriers and express runners
In places almost inaccessible to man, in eeres hid
den high up in the mountains in cul-de-sacs of the
canyons, are mining camps having each its own
little postofice. The office may be only cigar box
nailed to post soap box on a veranda but once
a week, or it may be only once a month"; the office
receives and delivers the mail Night or day the
Yaoui mail runner may come, empty the box drop
in his letters, and, like coyote is off again for
the next camp, perhaps thirty miles across the
mountains Clad only in bulhide sandals and
breechclout, the Yaqui mail bearer can outrun and
distance across the rough mountain trails any horse
or burro that ever foaled. Don Alonzo tells
me-and believe him-that, before the govern
ment opened the road from Chihuahua to Ell Ro-
saro distance of 500 Spanish miles (450 of ours)
Tarahumari Indian carried the mail regularly in
six days. and after resting one day, returned to
chihuahua in the same time. The path led over
mountains from 1000 to 5000 feet high by the
rim of deep precipices, across bridgeless streams
and rivers, and through land bristling with cacti
and thorny yucca.
Nor will this extraordinary feat seem incredible
to readers of The Intermountain Catholic familiar
with Prescot's History of Mexico 1t is recorded
by the historian that two days after the landing of