The marvellous country, or, Three years in Arizona and New Mexico.: Containing an authentic history of this wonderful country and its ancient civilization ... together with a full and complete history of the Apache tribe of Indians .../ By Samuel Woodworth Cozzens. Illustrated by more than one hundred engravings.

APACHES IN FOR:iER YEARS.
mured so melodiously at our side. And with him rose to
view the bronzed, war-worn countenance of the old Indian
fighter, "Don Felix Martinez," who "on the 26th day
of August, 1716, passed by on his way to reduce and
punish the Apaches."
Poor old Don Felix I Such a task was better fitted for
a Hercules, than a cavalier of the seventeenth century.
He it was who thus described the Apaches: -
"They are most cruel to those who chance to fall into
their hands. They go entirely naked, and make their
incursions on horses of great swiftness. A skin serves
them for a saddle. They begin their attacks at a great
distance, with loud shouts, in order to strike terror to the
enemy. They do not naturally possess much courage, but
depend upon artifice rather than valor. In case of defeat
they submit to the most ignominious terms, but keep their
treaties only as long as suits their convenience. His Majesty
has ordered that if they desire peace, it shall be granted
them; but this generosity they think proceeds from cowardice. Their arms are the common bows and arrows of the
country. The chief object of their incursions is plunder,
especially horses, which they use not only for bearing
burdens, but for food, the flesh of which they esteem as
one of their greatest dainties."
One thing is certain: If Don Felix failed to "reduce
and conquer" these Indians, he gained a thorough knowl
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