_Chief Gray Wolf_
Rumor prowled like a hunting mountain lion over the foothills of the
Sierra Madres. It crept up the canyons, climbed the peaks, searched out
every Apache camp, and came to Geronimo. He surrounded his camp with
scouts.
The sun was four hours high when one of the scouts imitated the call of
a jay. Geronimo did not stir. A jay's call meant that a friend came; a
hawk's scream indicated an enemy. Ten minutes later Whoa rode into
Geronimo's camp.
The huge chief of the Nedni was sweating, and Geronimo hid his wonder.
He had known Whoa for many years, and had fought with him when the
Kas-Kai-Ya massacre was avenged. This was the first time he had seen his
friend show fear.
"Have you heard?" Whoa demanded.
Geronimo replied, "It has come to my ears that Chief Gray Wolf is in the
Sierra Madres."
"He is!" Whoa exclaimed. He held up both hands with all fingers spread.
"Ten times this many warriors he leads, and ten times again, and twice
again! The word is that he comes in peace and only to ask Apaches to
return to the reservation in Arizona. Benito believed him and let his
band surrender in peace. Gray Wolf's soldiers shot the men! They cut the
throats of the women and children!"
For a moment Geronimo remained silent. Ten times ten, and ten times a
hundred, and twice a thousand. Not even Chief Gray Wolf, known to the
white men as General George Crook, could lead two thousand soldiers into
the Sierra Madres unobserved. Nor was General Crook a white chief who
said one thing but meant another. He kept his promises, and he would not
massacre prisoners. But it would not be well for even Geronimo to give
Whoa the lie.