I then said: 'Halt, who stands there?' Whereupon the ghost, who was
carrying a chair, sat down. When I promptly said: 'Halt, who sits
there?' . . .
"The career of '86 at West Point was in many respects remarkable.
There were no cliques, no dissensions, and personal prejudices or
selfishness, if any existed, never came to the surface. From the very
day we entered, the class as a unit has always stood for the very best
traditions of West Point."
While Pershing was still in West Point, the Indian chief Geronimo was
making trouble in the Southwest. For several years he led a band of
outlaw braves, who terrorized the Southern border. General Crook was
sent in pursuit of him, and afterwards General Miles took up the chase.
Finally in August, 1886, the chief and his followers were rounded up.
Pershing graduated in the spring of this year, with the usual rank
given to graduates, second lieutenant, and was immediately assigned to
duty under Miles. He had an inconspicuous part in the capture. But
the next year in the special maneuvers he was personally complimented
by the General for "marching his troops with a pack train of 140 mules
in 46 hours and bringing in every animal in good condition." Doubtless
his early experience with the Missouri brand of mule aided him.
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