_Revenge_
All fires in the camp near the Bavispe River had been extinguished
before sundown. Naiche, the young, tall, courageous son of Cochise, sat
in the darkness with Geronimo. Geronimo spoke.
"An autumn, a winter, and a spring have been born and died since Mangus
Coloradus sent me as his spokesman to ask the help of the Chiricahuas
and the Nedni."
"I well remember your visit," Naiche said. "When you spoke, your words
were fire that burned into my very heart. As I listened I knew that, if
no other Chiricahua would follow you to Mexico and help avenge the
massacre of your people, Naiche would."
"Soon the battle," Geronimo said.
"Soon the battle," Naiche echoed. "And at last I shall know."
"What shall you know?"
"Why so mighty a warrior as Geronimo, who owns many fine rifles, goes to
fight Mexicans armed with a shotgun, a pouch of beads, a knife, and a
lance."
Geronimo stared moodily into the darkness. Since fleeing from the
encampment he had lived only to go back to Kas-Kai-Ya. But much time had
been needed to plan an expedition large enough to attack the _rurales_
there.
New weapons had been fashioned. Countless messages had been exchanged by
Mangus Coloradus, Cochise, and Whoa, the three chiefs. The women and
children of all three tribes had been taken to mountain retreats whose
only approaches consisted of narrow canyons that a few warriors might
defend. Then those retreats had been stocked with ample provisions and
fuel.
Planning the campaign had been no easy task. Every warrior burned to go
into Mexico and fight the _rurales_. Nobody wanted to stay home to guard
the women and children. Nor would any warrior serve under any leader
except his own chief.
Finally each of the three leaders had chosen his picked men. Mangus
Coloradus included among his warriors all who had been at Kas-Kai-Ya.
Now, with two hundred and fifty braves under Cochise, two hundred under
Mangus Coloradus, and a hundred and fifty led by Whoa, they were well
into Mexico.
Each of the three divisions kept apart from the others, but not so far
apart that they would be unable to join forces when it was time for a
battle. Naiche preferred to travel with the Mimbreno Apaches rather than
with the Chiricahuas led by his father, Cochise. This was because of his
great liking for Geronimo.
Geronimo said finally, "I took the beads from the Mexicans. Now I return
them. That is only justice."
"Only justice," Naiche agreed. An owl hooted three times, and Naiche
said, "The signal. A scout returns."