Sladen's journal gives us many priceless glimpses into Cochise's mastery over his band, even in these latter days when he was aging noticeably.  One of these, occurring during Howard's trip to Ft. Bowie, involves an incident wherein Cochise directs one of his men to go out and kill an antelope in preparation for a night of celebration.  When the man returned empty handed, Cochise became enraged and mercilessly castigated the poor fellow who, according to Sladen, "slunk away like a whipped cur".  The Chief than mounted his own horse, rifle tucked under his arm, and rode out into the valley.  It wasn't long before he returned with an antelope draped over the neck of his horse, whereupon he dismounted without a word and rejoined his guests atop the giant boulder as though nothing particularly note worthy had taken place.  This is not the sign of a weakened leader, or one who has allowed his own internal discomfort, which must have by this time been considerable, to diminish his physical abilities. 
 

     Sladen's reservations about being cooped up in hostile territory with Cochise and his band were to take another serious pummeling when the entire camp staged an elaborate dance of welcome for their American guests.  It would be hard to imagine in the ensuing hours that a condition of war still existed between Cochise's Apaches and the Americans now in their control.  Sladen's journal entries make it crystal clear that his old prejudices were falling away in favor of a new respect, and even affection, for the Indians in Cochise's camp . . . and this was only the second day of their stay.

     While the General was still away at Fort Bowie, Cochise made good on his earlier joking comment about breaking out the tiswin.  As night approached, the entire camp shifted into a light-hearted mood.  The Apaches, particularly the males, had been fasting all day and were now consuming huge quantities of the corn liquor known as tiswin.  It was such a mild brew that it had little effect unless taken on a empty stomach, and in generous amounts.  At first Sladen writes that he was seriously concerned for his and Jeffords' safety, not particularly fond of the notion of being surrounded by drunken wild Indians.  But when the dancing began, and the two Americans were literally swept up by a circle of laughing, joyous men and women, all thoughts of jeopardy went by the wayside.  Sladen obviously enjoyed himself and was soon participating in the frivolity, soaking in the warmth and affection that seemed to radiate naturally from the people of Cochise's band. 

     There are several places in and around the campsite that today can easily be imagined to have been the location of this celebration.  It would have had to be a fairly open and level area, and would necessarily have been within easy reach of the protection of the mountain.  Directly south of the big rock there is an expansive area dotted with oaks (the ancestors of oaks that grew there 130 years ago) and lush with grass.  There is an abundance of mesquite bush and acacia that would not have been nearly so prevelent in Cochise's day (most of this kind of vegetation has been carried to the area over the decades by herds of livestock), and back then the climate was wetter.  This area has my vote as the location of the welcoming dance.

     In the days that followed, as Sladen anxiously awaited General Howard's return from Fort Bowie, several of Cochise's captains filtered in from their raiding.  One incident was to cause Sladen and Jeffords considerable discomfort, and served as a harsh reminder of the true nature of things at that point in their mission.