CHAPTER XXXVI. 



Caution of the Apaches Their Bands The Rancho A Government Con- 

 tract An Attack The Storm A solitary Apache The Stampede A 

 fruitless Chase. 



AMONGST the many reproaches brought against the 

 Apache, a charge of cowardice is the most frequent and 

 the least true. His excessive caution is continually mis- 

 taken for fear. Caution is perhaps his most strongly- 

 developed trait. From the beginning it has been an 

 essential of his existence. The law of heredity has de- 

 veloped it to the fullest extent ; it has become in him an 

 innate instinct. Apache is now an inclusive name, by 

 which is called a large group of small bands they can 

 hardly be called tribes all physically and mentally one 

 people, however, though speaking different dialects, with 

 diverse minor customs, and distinguishable from each other 

 by dissimilarities of costume and make of weapons. Some 

 of these bands number but a few dozen individuals ; some 

 can muster five hundred fighting men. The larger bands 

 are continually breaking up amongst themselves. Se- 

 cession appears to have been always prevalent. The small 



