Final answer:
The simile demonstrates how the Apache Indians felt weak in comparison to the soldiers, similar to deer fleeing from hunters. The correct answer is option D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The simile "a feeble band that fly before your soldiers as the deer before the hunter" represents the frailty of the Apache Indians. In this comparison, the speaker likens his people to deer fleeing from hunters, indicating how vulnerable and overwhelmed they felt in the face of the soldiers' pursuit. The use of the simile emphasizes the power imbalance between the Apache Indians and the forces they confronted.