so they could not be followed. When they reached the town of Arispe eight soldiers had tracked them down. The Indians killed and then scalped them in plain sight of the villagers, this to prove that the Apaches were strong and would not go down without a fight. The next morning two groups of Calvary and infantry were sent out to capture Geronimo and his tribe. Geronimo recognized some of them who took part in the killing of his family, and his hate blazed even more. The battle between the red and white was very fierce and the Mexicans were shocked at seeing the Indians stand so firmly against them. As the Mexicans tried to push them off the field the Indians would disappear and then reappear in clusters everywhere. Geronimo arranged his men in a hollow circle near the river where they were sheltered by trees. "When the Mexicans tried to dislodge them, he threw his men to attack from the rear confusing the Mexicans. However, the Mexicans withstood the attack and the fight lasted for two hours" (Leider et al 94). After only eight men were left, four Mexicans and four Indians, the Indians arrows were all gone and their spears were broken in the bodies of enemies. Left with their bare hands and small knives to fight with, the Indians turned to face the Mexicans who fired and two warriors fell. Geronimo and the other Indian turned to flee but his companion was struck down. Geronimo was left to fight the four Mexican soldiers alone. He pulled a spear out of a body and killed the Mexican soldier the closest to him. He stole his saber and killed the next one. By now he was covered in blood ready to kill the other two but they had disappeared. Other Indians saw what took place and rejoiced because the massacre was now avenged. Geronimo was elected war chief of their tribe. There were so many fights between the Indians and the Mexicans so the Indians decided to break up into smaller groups and leave. Six men and four women followed Geronim...
