“What message do they send?” asked Geronimo.
“They wish Geronimo and the other chiefs to come to Fort Thomas and hold a council with them,” replied Klo-sen.
“Of what matters would they speak?” demanded the old war chief.
“There are many things of which they wish to speak to the chiefs of the Apaches,” replied Klo-sen. “They have heard that we are dissatisfied, and they have promised to listen to our troubles. They say that they want to live in peace with us, and that if we come, they will have a great feast for us, and that together we shall plan how the white-eyes and the Shis-Inday may live together like brothers.”
Shoz-Dijiji grunted skeptically.
“They want to make reservation Indians of us forever,” said a warrior.
“Tell them we shall hold a council here and send word to them,” said Geronimo.
“If you do not come,” said Klo-sen, “neither will the Ned-ni—this word De-klu-gie sends to Geronimo and the Be-don-ko-he.”
With the coming of the messenger the dance had stopped and the warriors had gathered to listen to his words, forming naturally and in accordance with their rank in a circle about a small fire, so that they were all present when Geronimo suggested that they hold a council to determine what action they should take; and as Chief of the Be-don-ko-he he was the first to speak.
“We, the Shis-Inday, are vanishing from the earth,” he said sadly, “yet I cannot think we are useless, or Usen would not have created us. He created all tribes of men, and certainly had a righteous purpose in creating each.