The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1918-04-25
PERSH|NG'S SPRINT
A Foot Race Forced by the Taunt
of a Navajo Indian.
IT HAD A CURIOUS CLIMAX.
The Redskin Athlete Was q Fleet Run
ner, bst the White Captain" In
Spite Of Sprsined Ankle Handicap.
Won the Contest 10 a Crawl

Spite OF Sprsined Ankle Handicap,
Won the Contes. 10 a Crawl
At the tiRe General John ]. Pershing
held the rank Of captain in the army
he on one occasion proved himself su-
perior TO the hest Navajo athlete In d
foot race.
The story is al interesting one
Pershing was stationed near the Ma
vaho and Moqui reservations in Ari-
zona. In 1890 when General Morgan.
then commissioner Of Indian affairs,
visited these Indians. Pershing was In
command Of a small escort which went
with him to keams' canyon 10 attend
council of the tribes. He was ac-
companled 10y Captain Chauncey Ba-
ker. who had been his classmate al
West Point.
While waiting for the council TO be
gin they sat on large stone watching
the Indians at their games. The Ma
yahos were wrestling. racing on foot,
racing their ponies and pole yaulting
1t was IA holiday occasion. and the In
dians were enjoying themselves hugely.
One finely formed Indian saw Perish
ing sitting on the stone and approach
ing. said something to him In the Ma
yaho tongue. The Navajo Interpreter.
Chee who was with the party, was
asked what the Indian wanted
"IIe is challenging Captain Pershing
to wrestle with him." said Chez.
pershing looked the Indian over and
observing the grease upon his body re-
piled TO Chez:
Tell him that he Is too dirty to wres-
tie with white man.
When this was interpreted the In
dams who had gathered around sent up
shout Of dcrision at the expense of
the Navajo athlete. The latter was not
slow to reply, saying;
Tell the white captain III run
dirty all he has to do is to keep ahead
of me-"
The Indians now laughed at Pershing.
and Chez explained to him that he
would have to run the foot race 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.
Judges were chosen and toss of
coin gave the Indian the inside track,
So that he had few feet the advantage
in clearing the stakes. Both men start
ed in lively fashion, but, as Pershing
afterward explained, he purposely kept
Just far enough behind so that the
Navajo could barely see him ont Of the
tail ofshis eye. This prevented the In
dian from setting too bard pace and
at the same time enabled Pershing to
use the Indian as pacemaker.
As the two sped toward the first stake
not a foots difference was discernible
between them. They appeared to be
running almost abreast. Once or twice
the Indian made a spurt. but Pershing
always kept up with him ard never
undertook to pass him.
They rounded the first stake with
the Indian still ON the inside and then
started for the second stake When
half way Pershlng increased his speed
and the Indian, fearing that he meant
to try to pass him at the stake, did
likewise. Just as pershlng expected.
the Navajo shot slightly beyond the
stake, and Pershing was enabled to
come on the inside, thereby gaining an
advantage Of several feet on the home
ward run
Now, Pershing had previously sprain-
ed his ankle, and his only concern in
the race was caused by fear that his
ankle might give way The speed Of
the two men as they ran for the home
stake was tremendous but Pershing
maintained the lead unit! the expected
happened
When within about ten feet of the
home line his ankle turned and he was
seen to fall in a heap, and the specta-
! tors breathlessly watching the contest
cfled out In CONSERVATION. 1t all hap
pened in moment. it seemed, but
somehow Pershing doubled up like a
oall and turned complete somersault
and landed across the line several feet
ahead Of the Indian
Then there was bedlam OF shout
!ng The Indians unhesitatingly pro-
:ounced Pershing the victor. and the
elation Of the vh.te cen was only ex-
,eeded by their solicitude fer Per-
shing's weakened ankle. The defeated
indian was jeered and taunted unmer-
"ifully by the other Navahos.
They had one particular collection OF
! indian unpronounceables which they
applied to him. Pershing and Baker
got Chez to interpret it. Chez explain
ed that the Indian had always been
called the Navajo athlete, but now
his comrades had heightened his name
aid were calling him the Navajo ath-
! lete who was beaten in foot race by
the white captain crawling" - New
York Sun.
Will Keep Job Too.