Below them lay a valley of six or eight miles in length by one or two in breadth, through the centre of which a rivulet had drawn a paradise of verdure.

In the middle of the valley, at the head of a bend in the rivulet, was a camp of human brutes.

It was a bivouac rather than a camp.
The large tents of bison hide used by the northern Indians are unknown to the Apaches; they have not the bison, and they have less need of shelter in winter.

What Coronado saw at this distance was, a few huts of branches, a strolling of many horses, and some scattered riders.
Texas Smith gave him a glance of inquiry which said, "Shall we go ahead--or fire ?" Coronado spurred his horse down the rough, disjointed, slippery declivity, and the others followed.

They were soon perceived; the Apache swarm was instantly in a buzz; horses were saddled and mounted, or mounted without saddling; there was a consultation, and then a wild dash toward the travellers.