"You leave my uncle's war horse alone!"
A girl had come from the wickiup. Geronimo was so interested in the horse that he did not even know she was near until she spoke. Her name was Alope, and she was Delgadito's niece. Geronimo thought she was so lovely that the most dazzling maidens of the Mimbreno or any other tribe were drab beside her. When grown, such a girl would be too good for any warrior. Only a chief would be worthy to have her as his wife.
Geronimo said, "I must have this stallion, Alope."
"Why?" Alope asked.
"I must fight a duel of stallions with Ponce, the son of Ponce, and the only stallion among my mother's horses is too old to fight," Geronimo said.
Alope asked, "Why must you fight such a duel with young Ponce?"
"He gave me the lie!" Geronimo said angrily. "I killed three deer with my bow and arrows. Ponce said I found them dead!"
"Twelve-year-old boys are not supposed to be able to kill deer," Alope said.
"I did!" Geronimo insisted.
"I believe you," Alope said. "But these duels are dangerous. You know the elders have forbidden them."