s rapidly made to act in conjunction with the Mexicans to
intercept Geronimo and force his surrender.

"On August 25 Geronimo, when near Fronteraz, Mexico, recognizing
that he was pretty well surrounded, and being out of ammunition and
food, made overtures of capitulation, through Lieutenant Gatewood,
Sixth Cavalry, to Captain Lawton. He desired certain terms, but
was informed that a surrender as prisoner of war was all that would
be accepted.

"The Indians then proceeded to the vicinity of Captain Lawton's
command, near Skeleton Canon, and sent word that they wished to see
General Miles.

"On September 3 General Miles arrived at Lawton's camp, and on
September 4 Naiche, the son of Cochise, and the hereditary chief of
the Apaches, with Geronimo surrendered all the hostiles, with the
understanding, it seems, that they should be sent out of Arizona.

"I am not informed of the exact nature of this surrender, at first
deemed unconditional....

* * * * *

"I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"O. O. HOWARD,
"Major General, United States Army."

_Statement of W. T. Melton, Anadarko, Oklahoma._

From 1882 to 1887 I lived in southern Arizona, and was employed by the
Sansimone Cattle Company.

In 1886 I was stationed in Skeleton Canon, about 10 miles north of the
boundary line between Arizona and Old Mexico, with J. D. Prewitt. It was
our duty to ride the lines south of our range and keep the cattle of the
Company from straying into Old Mexico.

One afternoon, when returning from our ride, we discovered an Indian
trail leading toward our camp. We rode hurriedly out of the hills into a
broad valley so that we could better discover any attacking parties of
Apaches and if assailed have at least a fighting chance for our lives.
We knew the Apaches under Geronimo were on the warpath, but they were
far down in Old Mexico. However, our knowledge of the Indians led us to
expect anything at any time--to always be ready for the worst.

When we reached the valley we struck a cavalry trail also headed for our
camp. This was perplexing, for neither the Indians nor the soldiers
seemed to have been riding fast, and both trails led toward our camp in
Skeleton Canon. This canon was a natural route from Old Mexico to
Arizona, and almost all bands of Indians, as well as detachments of
United Sta