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 II: The Mexicans
Varying Fortunes
In the fall of 1865 with nine other warriors I went into Mexico
on foot. We attacked several settlements south of Casa Grande, and
collected many horses and mules. We made our way northward with
these animals through the mountains. When near Arispe we made camp
one evening, and thinking that we were not being trailed, turned
loose the whole herd, even those we had been riding. They were in
a valley surrounded by steep mountains, and we were camped at the
south of this valley so that the animals could not leave without
coming through our camp. Just as we had begun to eat our supper
our scouts came in and announced Mexican troops coming toward our
camp. We started for the horses, but troops that our scouts had
not seen were on the cliffs above us, and opened fire. We scattered
in all directions, and the troops recovered all our booty. In three
days we reassembled at our appointed place of rendezvous in the
Sierra Madre Mountains in northern Sonora. Mexican troops did not
follow us, and we returned to Arizona without any more fighting
and with no booty. Again I had nothing to say, but l was anxious
for another raid.
Early the next summer (1866 ) I took thirty mounted warriors and
invaded Mexican territory. We went south through Chihuahua as far
as Santa Cruz, Sonora, then crossed over the Sierra Madre Mountains,
following the river course at the south end of the range. We kept
on westward from the Sierra Madre Mountains to the Sierra de Sahuripa
Mountains, and followed that range northward. We collected all the
horses, mules, and cattle we wanted, and drove them northward through
Sonora into Arizona. Mexicans saw us at many times and in many places,
but they did not attack us at any time, nor did any troops attempt
to follow us. When we arrived at homes we gave presents to all,
and the tribe feasted and danced. During this raid we had killed
about fifty Mexicans.
Next year (1867) Mangus-Colorado led eight warriors on a raid into
Mexico. I went as a warrior, for I was always glad to fight the
Mexicans. We rode south from near Tombstone, Arizona, into Sonora,
Mexico. We attacked some cowboys, and after a fight with them, in
which two of their number were killed, we drove all their cattle
northward. The second day we were driving the cattle, but had no
scouts out. When we were not far from Arispe, Mexican troops rode
upon us. They were well armed and well mounted, and when we first
saw them they were not half a mile away from us. We left the cattle
and rode as hard as we could toward the mountains, but they gained
on us rapidly. Soon they opened fire, but were so far away from
us that we were unable to reach them with our arrows; finally we
reached some timber, and, leaving our ponies, fought from cover.
Then the Mexicans halted, collected our ponies, and rode away across
the plains toward Arispe, driving the cattle with them. We stood
and watched them until they disappeared in the distance, and then
took up our search for home.
We arrived home in five days with no victory to report, no spoils
to divide, and not even the three ponies which we had ridden into
Mexico. This expedition was considered disgraceful.
The warriors who had been with Magnus Colorado on this last expedition
wanted to return to Mexico. They were not satisfied, besides they
felt keenly the taunts of the other warriors. Magnus Colorado would
not lead them back, so I took command and we went on foot, directly
toward Arispe in Sonora, and made our camp in the Sierra de Sahuripa
Mountains. There were only six of us, but we raided several settlements
(at night), captured many horses and mules, and loaded them with
provisions, saddles and blankets. Then we turned to Arizona, traveling
only at night. When we arrived at our camp we sent out scouts to
prevent any surprise by Mexicans, assembled the tribe, feasted,
danced, and divided the spoils. Mangus Colorado would not receive
any of this booty, but we did not care. No Mexican troops followed
us to Arizona.
About a year after this (1868) Mexican troops rounded up all the
horses and mules of the tribe not far from our settlement. No raids
had been made into Mexico that year, and we were not expecting any
attacks. We were all in camp, having just returned from hunting.
About two o'clock in the afternoon two Mexican scouts were seen
near our settlement. We killed these scouts, but the troops got
under way with the herd of our horses and mules before we saw them.
It was useless to try to overtake them on foot, and our tribe had
not a horse left. I took twenty warriors and trailed them. We found
the stock at a cattle ranch in Sonora, not far from Nacozari, and
attacked the cowboys who had them in charge. We killed two men and
lost none. After the fight we drove off our own stock and all of
theirs.
We were trailed by nine cowboys. I sent the stock on ahead and
with three warriors stayed in the rear to intercept any attacking
parties. One night when near the Arizona line we discovered these
cowboys on our trail and watched them camp for the night and picket
their horses. About midnight we stole into their camp and silently
led away all their horses, leaving the cowboys asleep. Then we rode
hard and overtook our companions, who always traveled at night instead
of in the daytime. We turned these horses in with the herd and fell
back to again intercept anyone who might trail us. What these nine
cowboys did next morning I do not know, and I have never heard the
Mexicans say anything about it; I know they did not follow us, for
we were not molested. When we arrived in camp at home there was
great rejoicing in the tribe. It was considered a good trick to
get the Mexicans' horses and leave them asleep in the mountains.
It was a long time before we again went into Mexico or were disturbed
by the Mexicans.
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Native American Legends A-B