The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-09-20
Bargaining With
a Navajo

Major Chauncey b. Barker, who was
the transport quartermaster VINO cou'
Quoted the recent cruise OF the sum
ner to Cuban ports with the Santiago
battlefields commission, has spent
much time among the western INDIANS
and has fine collection of blankets
which have attracted much Afternoon
since he has been stationed at WASH
ington Many OF the blankets were
secured from Indians whose names
have a place in the history OF the
army.
"One of the finest saddle blankets
in my collection" said Major BAKER
to a New York Tribune reporter the
other dav. lis a saddle blanket when
once adorned the war pony OF BLACK
Horse a Navajo chief who never be-
came very friendly with the whites. |
was out in Arizona holding poWwo"
with a bunch of drifters whom the
government wanted cOrTaled on res
eryation when | met Black Horse. lie
would not come within the circle or
smoke the pipe of peace, but huhs
around on the outside, sullen, ultra
dignified and unapproachab!e.
one afternooon | saw his saddle
blanket-one of the most beautllul l
had ever scen-and great desire 10
Dossess il overcame me. Through our
4 off nt SDD
to which he would not even reply !
raised the offer to $50 but the answer
was only a grunt. Finally he informed
the Interpreter that the white captain
did not have enough money to buy ms
blanket.
Knowing something of the Indian
character | thought out way OF get
ting the blanket and at the same time
winning the friendship of the chief,
which was important in the othclai
matter we had on hand ! sent Wod
to Black Horse that the white captain
at last realized his great worth ana
importance felt that he was the
greatest Of all great Indians, and that
he was more than worthy OF being my
guest at a feast which | wished 70
prepare for him. | told him that no
might bring a friend if he knew one
who was worthy enough, or that he
could come alone if it suited his dls-
nifty better. asked him when he
would accept such an invitation,
The vanity of the old chief was
tickled. He said he would come the
next night, which would give him time
TO work up an appetite that would DO
Justice to the white captains dinner
Il prepared a feast which | knew
he would like. There was stew OF
potatoes and beans and onions and
meat. AL Indians like stew better
than anything else, and they detest
individual dishes. | found in the
stores several cans Of apples and had
them opened up Then | breWed
punch. favoring it with the apple
Juice. This was poured out in great
tin cups holding fully pint. Before
We began | iutimated to Black Horse
that at the white captains table he
should sip the punch no faster than
did the white captain.
The dinner progressed famously
All the while Black Horse kept his
eve on me and never missed an oppor-
tunity to sip from the tin cup when
did. He slipped a little harder, and
presently his cup was empty.
reached over and poured into his cup
more than half OF the punch which
remained in mine. An Indian can I'M
dcrstand your giving him half OF any
thing you have. but the man who Will
give you more than half is generous
beyond belief.
AT last the moment came for
final play for the blanket | arose and
made speech. FINALLY | took off the
uniform blouse, which was about as
dsreputabe looking one as an otii~
Ger ever wore | had worn it three
months in the brush, and it certainly
showed it. This blouse, | explained
to him. was made for the father OF
the white captains father many, many
years ago. 1t was old, and it was near
to the white captains heart. But 50
was Black Horse, and the blouse was
70 be his.
HE took 1t with more cagerness
than an Indian usually shows about
anything, and then he made his
speech. He spoke principally about
himself and made himself out a very
great man Then he muttered some
thing and left the tent for moment
When he returned he had the saddle
blanket, which with fine bow he
cast at my feet"