The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-31
APACHE SCOUTS.
Their knowledge of the Country and Ability
to Take Care of Themselves.
New York Herald.

New York Herald.
Apache scouts will march thirty-ive and
forty miles in a day on foot crossing wide
stretches of waterless plains upon which
tropical sun beats down with ferceness, or
climbing up the faces of precipitous noun
tains, which stretch across this region in
every direction. Two great points of SUI
perlorty OF the native or savage soldier over
the representative of civilized discipline are
his absolute knowledge of the country and
his perfect ability to take care of himself at
all times and under all circumstances. If
the rays OF the sun pour down from the
zenith, or the screening sirocco blow IRON
the south, the Apache scout trudges along as
unconcernedly as he was when the cold rain
or snow of winter chilled his white COM
rades to the marrow. He finds food-and
pretty good food, too-where the Caucasian
would starve. Knowing the habits OF wild
animals from his earliest youth, he can
catch wild turkeys quail, rabbits, doves
or field mice, and perhaps a prairie dog
or two, which will supply him with meat.
For some reason, he cannot be induced TO
eat hsh, and bacon or any product OF the
hog is eaten only under duress; but the flesh
OF horse, mule or iackass which has dropped
exhausted on the march, and been lett to die
Dy the trail, is delicious morsel which the
Apache epicure seizes upon whenever posi-.
BILE. The stunted oaks growing on the
mountain TANKS furnish acorns; the Spanish
bayonet fruit that, when roasted by the
ashes of the campfire, looks and tastes some
thing like the banana.
The whole territory of southern Arizona
and northern Mexico is covered with varie-
ties OF the cactus nearly every one Of which
is called upon for its tribute of fruit or seed.
The broad leaves and stalks of the mescal
century plan) are roasted between hot
stones, and the product is rich in saccharine
matter and extremely pleasant to the taste.
The wild potato and the bulb of the tule are
found in many of the damp mountain
meadows, and the nest of the ground-bee is
| Taided remorselessly for its little store OF
honey. These are merely few of the re-
sources of the Apache scout when
separated from the main command.
When his moccasins give out on a long
march over the sharp rocks in the mountains
few hours rest sees him equipped with a
new pair, his own handiwork; and so with
other portions OF his raiment. He is never
without awl. needle and thread of siuew.
Brought up from childhood to the use of
| arms OF some kind at first the bow and ar
row, and later on the rifle, he is perfectly at
| home with his weapons. and, knowing from
past experience how important they are for
his preservation, takes much better care of
them than does the white soldier out of gar
rison. The Apache breads SURPRISE it is his
own favorte mode of destroying an enemy
ana knowing what he himself can do he as
! cribes to mis- enemy no matter how insgnii-
cant may be his numbers, the same daring
recklessness agility and subtlety possessed
by himself. There has been some unfavor-
able criticism passed on General Crook for
employing the Apaches scouts but it
should be remembered that ne has used the
Indians in like capacity on many occasions.
In Nevada. in California and in Oregon his
plans never failed General Crook expressed
himself as thoroughly satisfied with his
Apache scouts, and said he could trust them
If he was the only white man i'll the party.