d in prayer as in the actual effect of
the medicine. Usually about eight persons worked together in making
medicine, and there were forms of prayer and incantations to attend each
stage of the process. Four attended to the incantations and four to the
preparation of the herbs.

Some of the Indians were skilled in cutting out bullets, arrow heads,
and other missiles with which warriors were wounded. I myself have done
much of this, using a common dirk or butcher knife.[7]

Small children wore very little clothing in winter and none in the
summer. Women usually wore a primitive skirt, which consisted of a piece
of cotton cloth fastened about the waist, and extending to the knees.
Men wore breech cloths and moccasins. In winter they had shirts and
leggings in addition.

Frequently when the tribe was in camp a number of boys and girls, by
agreement, would steal away and meet at a place several miles distant,
where they could play all day free from tasks. They were never punished
for these frolics; but if their hiding places were discovered they were
ridiculed.

FOOTNOTES:

[5] Four is a magic number with the Bedonkohe Apaches. The dragon had
four coats of scales; he took little Apache's meat four times; they (the
dragon and Apache) exchanged four shots--the dragon rolled down four
precipices. There are four moccasins used in the tribal game of Kah, and
only four plays that can be made. A boy must accompany the warriors four
times on the warpath before he can be admitted to the council.

Geronimo is the fourth of a family of four boys and four girls. He has
had four wives that were full-blood Bedonkohe Apaches, and four that
were part Bedonkohe Apache and part other Apache blood. Four of his
children have been killed by Mexicans and four have been held in bondage
by the U. S. Government. He firmly believes in destiny and in the magic
of the number four. Besides Geronimo, only four full-blood Bedonkohe
Apaches are now living. They are Porico (White Horse), Nah-da-ste,
Moh-ta-neal, and To-klon-nen.

[6] The Apaches did not smoke the peace pipe, unless it was proposed by
some other Indians. They had no large pipes; in fact, they usually
smoked cigarettes made by rolling the tobacco in wrappers of oak leaves.

[7] The only foundation for the statement, frequently made, that
Geronimo was a medicine man.

CHAPTER IV

TRIBAL AMUSEMENTS, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS

To celebrate each noted event a feast and dance woul