Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-08-31
PERSHING ASPRINTER

by his remarkable success in pacify-
ing and governing the hostile Moros
Of Mindanao, In the Philippines, Is
one Of the most popular officers Of
the army. He is West Point grad
uate and an all-round athlete
The Moros are similar in many re-
spects to the North American In
dams and admire strength. skill and
daring. Pershing Is tall, well formed
and wiry, and when at West Point
was q sprinter Of reputation. While
serving in the west a number OF
years ago. he was greatly admired
by the Indians. and at least on one
occasion proved himself superior to
the best Navajo athlete In q foot
race.
The story is an interesting one.
Pershing was stationed near the
Navajo and Moqui reservations in
Arizona. In 1890, when Gen. Morgan,
then commissioners of Indian affairs,
visited these Indians, Pcrshing was
In command of small escort which
went with him TO Keams' canyon to
attend a council of the tribes. He
was accompanied by Capt. Chauncey
Baker. who had been his classmate
at West Point.
While waiting for the council to
begin they sat on a large stone
watching the Indians at their games.
The Navajos were wrestling, racing
on foot, racing their ponies and pole
vaulting. It was a holiday occasion
and the Indians were enjoying them
selves hugely.
One finely formed Indian saw
Pershing sitting on the stone, and
approaching. said something to him
in the Navajo tongue. The Navajo
interpreter, Chez. who was with the
party, was asked what the Indian
wanted.
"He is challenging Capt. Pershing
10 wrestle with him." said Chez.
Pershing looked the Indian over
and observing the grease upon his
body replied to Chez:
"Tell him that he is too dirty to
wrestle with a white man."
When this was interpreted the In
dams who had gathered around sent
up shout of derision at the expense
Of the Navajo athlete. The latter
was not slow TO reply. saying:
"Tell the white captain I'll run a
footrace with him. and If I am too
dirty all he has to do is to keep
ahead of me-"
The Indians now laughed at Perish
ing and Chez explained to him that
he would have to run the footrace
or lose caste with the Indians. who
appeared greatly to admire him.
Pershing accepted the challenge
and preparations were made for the
race. A triangular course was laid
out, with three stakes 100 feet apart,
Pershing stripped to the waist and
put on pair of moccasins so that he
could run with greater ease.
The Navajos gathered around and
offered to wager on their man
against the white captain. The
American officers endeavored to
avoid making bets. but were told
that they must appear to have con-
fidence in Pershing. The Navajos
threw upon~ the ground costly blan-
kets and silver belts and articles OF
clothing, against which the white
men placed money, with the private
understanding that II Pershing won
they would not take the Indians
stakes.
Judges were chosen and a toss OF
coin gave the Indian the inside
track, so that he had a few feet the
advantage in clearing the stakes
Both men started in lively fashion
but, as Pershing afterward explained
he purposely kept just far enough
behind SO that the Navajo could
barely see him out Of the tail of his
eye. This prevented the Indian from
setting too hard pace and at the
same time enabled Pershing to use
the Indian as pacemalxer.
As the two sped toward the first
stake not a foot's difference was dis.
cernible between them. They mp
peared to be running almost abreast
Once or twice the Indian made a
squirt, but Pershing always kept UP
with him and never undertook 10
pass him.
They rounded the first stake with
the Indian still on the inside and
then started for the second stake
When half way Pershing increased
his speed and the Indian, fearing
that he meant to try to pass him al
the stake, did likewise. Just as
Pershing expected. the Navajo shot
slightly beyond the stake and Perish
ing was enabled to come on the in
side, thereby gaining an advantage OF
several feet on the homeward run.
When within about ten feet of the
home line HIS ankle turned and he
was seen 20 fall in heap and the
spectators breathlessly watching the
contest cried out in CONSERVATION
IL all happened in q moment, II
seemed, but somehow Pershing dou-
bled up like a bail and turned 4 COM
plete somersault and landed ACROSS
the line several feet ahead Of the In
dian.
Then there was q bedlam of shout
ing. The Indians unhesitatfngly pro-
nounced Pershing the victor. and the
citation Of the white men was only
exceeded by the solicitude for Perish
ing's weakened ankle. The defeated
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