Geronimo strode into the darkness. Partly because he knew Mexico so
well, and partly because of his marvelous sense of direction, he had
been appointed guide for the entire expedition.
In late afternoon of the third day following, they came before the
walled town of Arispe.
They halted in a woods some five hundred yards from the town, and
Geronimo's heart leaped as he stood beside Naiche. Again, in
imagination, he saw his mother, his wife, his murdered children. A great
joy rose within him at the knowledge that, only a short distance away,
their murderers awaited. The Apaches had come upon Arispe so stealthily
that the _rurales_ couldn't possibly have fled. A battle was assured.
But their presence must be known soon, and when they were discovered
they could expect action from Arispe. The sun was sinking when Naiche
said:
"They come."
Eight townsmen bearing a white flag of truce left the walled town and
walked toward the trees. Geronimo could not help admiring them. Eight
Mexicans who approached any number of Apaches _must_ be courageous.
"What would you do with them, brother?" Naiche asked, stepping closer to
Geronimo.
"Hold them prisoner and force the _rurales_ to come out to attempt a
rescue," replied Geronimo. "Thus we may be sure of a battle."
"Their flag says they come to talk. It is not honorable to capture
them."
"The _rurales_ who slew our women and children at Kas-Kai-Ya were less
than honorable too," Geronimo said grimly.
"That is true, but whether we capture or parley is for the chiefs to
say. Let us hear."
They made their way to where Mangus Coloradus, Cochise, and Whoa awaited
the eight townsmen. No Apache stirred until the Mexicans were so near
the woods that there was no possible chance of their running back into
Arispe. Then Mangus Coloradus ordered:
"Capture them so the _rurales_ must try a rescue."
Geronimo and Naiche remained with the chiefs, for they scorned to fight
townsmen. But other warriors ran forward. The Mexicans halted and
grouped together, each man with his back against a companion's.
Pedro Gonzalez, one of those attempting the capture, said in Spanish,
"Submit and you will not be hurt."
"You come to kill!" a Mexican snarled, and eight hands flew to knives.
The encircling warriors drew their own knives. Near-naked Apaches ringed
the Mexicans and it was over. Pedro Gonzalez came to the chiefs.
"We would have captured them, but they chose to fight," he said.
"It is no matter," Cochise shrugged. "The _rurales_ will come now for
revenge."
The next morning some of the soldier police did come. Twenty horsemen
galloped toward the woods where the Apaches were hiding, fired wildly
into them, and retreated without hurting anyone. That evening the
Apaches captured a Mexican supply train whose leaders knew nothing of
the powerful war party concealed near the town. Besides a store of
food, the Apaches took many guns and much ammunition.
At ten o'clock the next morning, the _rurales_ came in force. Two
companies of infantry in battle formation advanced toward the woods
where the Apaches were still hidden. Two of cavalry were held in reserve
just outside the town walls.
Lying near the chiefs, with Naiche on one side and Nadeze on the other,
Geronimo poured powder into the cavernous muzzle of his shotgun. He
emptied the pouch of beads on top of it, tamped them in with cloth, and
primed the gun. Naiche grinned, understanding at last.