Geronimo His Own Story
Part I: The Apaches
Part II: The Mexicans
Part III: The White Men
Part IV: The Old And The New
Part I: The Apaches
The Family
My grandfather, Maco, had been our chief. I never saw him, but
my father often told me of the great size, strength, and sagacity
of this old warrior. Their principal wars had been with the Mexicans.
They had some wars with other tribes of Indians also, but were seldom
at peace for any great length of time with the Mexican towns.
Maco died when my father was but a young warrior, and Mangas-Colorado
became Chief of the Bedonkohe Apaches. When I was but a small boy
my father died, after having been sick for some time. When he passed
away, carefully the watchers closed his eyes, then they arrayed
him in his best clothes, painted his face afresh, wrapped a rich
blanket around him, saddled his favorite horse, bore his arms in
front of him, and led his horse behind, repeating in wailing tones
his deeds of valor as they carried his body to a cave in the mountain.
Then they slew his horses, and we gave away all of his other property,
as was customary in our tribe, after which his body was deposited
in the cave, his arms beside him. His grave is hidden by piles of
stone. Wrapped in splendor he lies in seclusion, and the winds in
the pines sing a low requiem over the dead warrior.
After my father's death I assumed the care of my mother. She never
married again, although according to the customs of our tribe she
might have done so immediately after his death. Usually, however,
the widow who has children remains single after her husband's death
for two or three years; but the widow without children marries again
immediately. After a warrior's death his widow returns to her people
and may be given away or sold by her father or brothers. My mother
chose to live with me, and she never desired to marry again. We
lived near our old home and I supported her.
In 1846, being seventeen years of age, I was admitted to the council
of the warriors. Then I was very happy, for I could go wherever
I wanted and do whatever I liked. I had not been under the control
of any individual, but the customs of our tribe prohibited me from
sharing the glories of the war path until the council admitted me.
When opportunity offered, after this, I could go on the war path
with my tribe. This would be glorious. I hoped soon to serve my
people in battle. I had long desired to fight with our warriors.
Perhaps the greatest joy to me was that now I could marry the fair
Alope, daughter of No-po-so. She was a slender, delicate girl, but
we had been lovers for a long time. So, as soon as the council granted
me these privileges I went to see her father concerning our marriage.
Perhaps our love was of no interest to him; perhaps he wanted to
keep Alope with him, for she was a dutiful daughter; at any rate
he asked many ponies for her. I made no reply, but in a few days
appeared before his wigwam with the herd of ponies and took with
me Alope. This was all the marriage ceremony necessary in our tribe.
Not far from my mother's tepee I had made for us a new home. The
tepee was made of buffalo hides and in it were many bear robes,
lion hides, and other trophies of the chase, as well as my spears,
bows, and arrows. Alope had made many little decorations of beads
and drawn work on buckskin, which she placed in our tepee. She also
drew many pictures on the walls of our home. She was a good wife,
but she was never strong. We followed the traditions of our fathers
and were happy. Three children came to us---children that played,
loitered, and worked as I had done.
Part II: The Mexicans
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