Five years after the Spanish War, when Roosevelt was President and
Pershing was a mere Captain, he was invited to luncheon at the White
House.
"Captain Pershing," said the President, when the party was seated at
the table, "did I ever meet you in the Santiago campaign?"
"Yes, Mr. President, just once."
"When was that? What did I say?"
"Since there are ladies here, I can't repeat just what you said, Mr.
President."
There was a general laugh in which Roosevelt joined.
"Tell me the circumstances, then."
"Why, I had gone back with a mule team to Siboney, to get supplies for
the men. The night was pitch black and it was raining torrents. The
road was a streak of mud. On the way back to the front, I heard noise
and confusion ahead. I knew it was a mired mule team. An officer in
the uniform of a Rough Rider was trying to get the mules out of the
mud, and his remarks, as I said a moment ago, should not be quoted
before the ladies. I suggested that the best thing to do, was to take
my mules and pull your wagon out, and then get your mules out. This
was done, and we saluted and parted."
"Well," said Roosevelt, "if there ever was a time when a man would be
justified in using bad language, it would be in the middle of a rainy
night, with his mules down in the mud and his wagon loaded with things
soldiers at the front needed.
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