“You bring a message from the white-eyed chiefs to Geronimo?” demanded the war chief.
“With Lieutenant Gatewood we have brought a message from General Miles, the new chief of the white-eyed soldiers,” replied Ka-yi-tah.
“Speak!” commanded Geronimo.
“The message is that if you will surrender you will not be killed; but will be taken some place to the East, you and your families—all of you who are now upon the war trail and who will surrender.”
“How many soldiers has Gatewood with him?” demanded Geronimo.
“There are no soldiers with Gatewood,” replied Ka-yi-tah; “but Lawton’s soldiers are not far away.”
“Geronimo will talk with Gatewood,” announced the old chief, “but with no one else. Gatewood does not tell lies to the Apache. Tell them not to let any soldiers come near my camp, and I shall talk with Gatewood. Go!”
And so it was that through the confidence that Geronimo felt in Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood, Sixth United States Cavalry, arrangements were made for a parley with General Miles; and on September 4th 1886 Geronimo and Na-chi-ta surrendered at Skeleton Canyon, Arizona.
Shoz-Dijiji did not accompany the other chiefs to the parley. With only his own sad thoughts as company he remained in camp, and there Geronimo found him when the parley was over. Shoz-Dijiji arose and faced the old chieftain.
“I do not need to ask Geronimo what has happened,” said the young chief. “I see sorrow in his eyes. It is the end of the Apaches.”