El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-06
ON THE WAY To
PERSHING BASE
The Burros Who Refused to
Cooperate the Friendly
Natives.
RI Edmond REHR.

Charcos Ranch. Mex, May 81, en-
route 10 Namiquipa, by motor truck 10
Columbus. y. n. June 6D-Five flop
cared Mexican burros helped Gen
Pershing 10 estimate the water supply
here this afternoon. The expedition
airy commander had halted his auto
caravan TO discover the amount OF
water available for troops passing this
way. The five burros were gathered
around a spring near the deserted
ranch house, each trying 10 quench its
thirst before the other.
When the general alighted from his
big touring car. accompanied by his
chief Of staff. Col De Rosey c. Cabell
and aide. Lieut. James /. Collins, the
burros laziIy turned their heads and
Eazed at the approaching. officers
Their ears-Ihe burro's, mind you
stiffened and stood erect Perhaps
that is the burro salute The five
heads came close together as If hur-
RED consultation were in progress
The Stubborn BurrO.
Here comes the Americana Jefe-'
said the leader OF the burros. IN the
mysterious burrO language
wonder what they want2" re-
Perhaps he thinks Pancho villa is
hidden under this spring. said a
= wouldn't spring that on him if
were you" advised the fourth mem
well said the fifth. I'VE are Mexi-
can burros and therefore should show
our patriotism. Let's pretend not TO
recognize him and then We won't have
To cooperate in any plans he may
have"
general. the chief Of staff and the
aide de camp His four followers
withdrew q little TO one side Of the
spring while he pretended TO wait for
more water to bubble 10 the surface
Officer Digs fer Water.
Lieut.. Collins. with a spade in his
hand. stopped down and dug diligently
for a few moments TO accelerate the
flow Of water. Col CabelL pipe in
hand. watched the digging Gen
Pershing rested his elbow on the
Mexican burro-captain- stood
still enough. but Il was plain TO them
that he was wishing 10 let fly with his
heels and kick the general when ne
was not looking. In fact. he had
made up his mind that II the American
general made a courtesy request for
information and cooperation he would
kick him without warning and then
retreat with his little army.
When the water was flowing freely
col. Cabeu suggested TO Gen Pershing
that the burro should drink so an es-
innate could be made OF the rapldlty
o. the Flow when Il was DelnB con-
sumed steadily as il came 10 the sur
face. The chief Of staff gave a gentle
duck intended to persuade Senior
Rurro. who was really very thirsty. TO
drink But with characteristic na-
tiCnal stubbornness, the burrO 'iefe"
refused. and was just preparing TO
deal a treache-Ous kick. When-well,
everybody knows how stubborn, re-
Calcitrant burros as wen as men and
nations. should be handled. Anyhow
the chief Of staff took the burro firm
y by the ear. said something sternly
and the burro drank The Ameri-
cans got all the information they
wanted.
story With Moral.
In excusing himself to his four long
cared followers after Gen. Pershing
had departed, the burrO 'jefe" said
''Of course, being q Mexican burro,
7 didn't want to cooperate and didn't
intend TO but under the circumstances,
how could I do otherwise
This story has mOral-it is double
is there nevertheless. If the referee
column OF American troops finds time
thirsty burros get water to drink, IL
is easy TO imagine how much he would
do TO help half starved natives 10
greater happiness.
No Native AnimOsity.
Fl Vale, Mex, May % zen route to
Namiquipa, by motor truck 10 Colum-
skinned senoritas, thanked BY their