The Story of Geronimo. Jim Kjelgaard

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      Now the gray hunting horse was gone, which meant that Delgadito was out after deer. But the mare and the stallion were still there. Geronimo had come to steal the war horse. This, however, was not the time to do it.

      The mare's presence proved that Delgadito's wife was home. If she saw Geronimo stealing the war horse she would tell her husband. The punishment sure to follow would be harsh and long remembered. Delgadito knew how to use a switch on headstrong boys. Geronimo crouched in his hiding place, waiting.

      Soon Delgadito's wife came from the wickiup, mounted her mare, and rode away. Geronimo rose and walked swiftly down the hill.

      The stallion raised its head and watched with eyes that were fearless and questioning. Geronimo grasped the buckskin tie rope, and was drawing the horse to him when—

      "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."

      Geronimo patted the stallion's cheek.

      "If the elders do not know a duel is being fought," he said, "they can do nothing."

      "And if my uncle's war horse is killed," Alope told him, "he'll stake you out on an ant hill and let the ants devour you."

      Geronimo said, "I'll gladly accept any punishment after I have fought this duel, but I must fight!"

      "What if you are killed?" asked Alope.

      "I won't be. Among all his father's horses, the son of Ponce shall find no stallion to equal this one, and I am a much better rider!"

      Alope said, "My good sense bids me run and get my aunt, but my heart tells me to speed a warrior on his way. I'll not tell, but I'll tremble for what will happen to you should my uncle's war horse be killed or hurt."

      Geronimo slipped the tether rope, grasped the rein, and vaulted happily to the back of the mighty horse. Though the stallion wanted to gallop and Geronimo burned to test the speed and fire of such a mount, he held him to a walk. There was a fight coming up. The stallion must go into it rested.

      At the same time, it was a glorious feeling just to be on such a stallion. All Apaches could ride, but few were master horsemen. Geronimo had started riding the village colts when he was so small that it СКАЧАТЬ