# XIII: Coming of the White Men explained — Geronimo’s Story of His Life

> Chapter companion for Geronimo’s Story of His Life by Geronimo.

## What happens

Geronimo recounts the first encounters with white men, including a peaceful treaty and trade with early surveyors, followed by later conflict with soldiers. He describes the treacherous attack at Apache Pass where Mangus Colorado escaped, the subsequent retaliation, and the lasting distrust that led to a prolonged struggle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Broken Treaties

The attack at Apache Pass after a treaty was made exemplifies betrayal by U.S. soldiers.

### Resistance and Survival

The Apaches organize, retaliate, and hide in the mountains, demonstrating ongoing resistance.

### Injustice and Oppression

Geronimo notes that soldiers wronged Indians and reported misdeeds unfairly, reflecting systemic injustice.

### Warrior Culture and Honor

Geronimo takes the warpath as a warrior, not a chief, to fight for his wronged people.

## Character check-ins

### Geronimo

Narrator and participant in the first encounters with white men, later takes the warpath after the treachery at Apache Pass.

### Mangus Colorado

Chief who escaped the tent attack at Apache Pass by cutting through the tent.

### Cochise

Chief who commanded the Bedonkohe and Chokonen Apaches in the retaliatory fight after the attack.

### Usen

Mentioned indirectly as the Apache deity; referenced in the context of the spiritual worldview.

### Quanna Parker

Chief of Comanche Indians, mentioned at the end of the chapter.

## Key lines

> About the time of the massacre of Kaskiyeh (1858) we heard that some white men were measuring land to the south of us.

Around the time of the Kaskiyeh massacre in 1858, we learned that white men were surveying land to the south.

_Introduces the first contact with white surveyors._

> We could not understand them very well, for we had no interpreter, but we made a treaty with them by shaking hands and promising to be brothers.

Without an interpreter, we still made a treaty by shaking hands and pledging brotherhood.

_Describes the initial peaceful treaty-making._

> When in the tent they were attacked by soldiers. Our chief, Mangus-Colorado, and several other warriors, by cutting through the tent, escaped; but most of the warriors were killed or captured.

Inside the tent, soldiers attacked; Mangus Colorado and others escaped by cutting through the tent, but most were killed or captured.

_Recounts the treacherous attack at Apache Pass._

> After this trouble all of the Indians agreed not to be friendly with the white men any more.

Following this incident, all Indians decided to cease friendly relations with white men.

_Marks a turning point toward permanent distrust._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xiii-coming-of-the-white-men
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters