an officer who was Pershing's senior in the
Sixth Cavalry by six years--all of them spent in the Apache country:

"In those days, when a youngster joined a regiment, he was not expected
to express himself on military matters until he had some little
experience. But there was a certain something in Pershing's appearance
and manner which made him an exception to the rule. Within a very
short time after he came to the post, a senior officer would turn to
him, and say: 'Pershing, what do you think of this?' and his opinion
was such that we always listened to it. He was quiet, unobtrusive in
his opinions, but when asked he always went to the meat of a question
in a few words. From the first he had responsible duties thrown on
him. We all learned to respect and like him. He was genial and full
of fun. No matter what the work or what the play, he always took a
willing and leading part. He worked hard and he played hard; but
whenever he had work to do, he never let play interfere with it."

His experiences in the Wild West (and it was the Wild West in those
days) cannot be passed over without relating one typical anecdote.
Three cattle rustlers, white men, had gotten into a fight with the Zuni
Indians, who caught them driving off some cattle. Three of the red men
were killed before the outlaws were finally surrounded in a lonely
cabin.

Word was sent of their predicament to the nearest fort, and Lieutenant
Pershing was sent with a small detachment to their rescue. He rode
straight up to the Zuni chief, who was now on the warpath, and told him
he must call off his braves--that the United States Government would
punish these men. The chief finally grunted assent, and Pershing
strode forward alone into the clearing and approached the cabin. At
any time a shot might have come out, but disregarding his own danger he
went on, pushed open the door, and found himself looking into the
muzzles of three guns.

A single false move on his part would probably have ended him, but he
did not waver. He folded his arms and said quietly:

"Well, boys, I've come to get you."

The outlaws laughed noisily and swore by way of reply.

"You might as well come along," he went on, without raising his voice.
"My men are posted all around this cabin."

More profanity, but the men at last consented to go, if they could
carry their guns. They wouldn't budge otherwise.

"You'll come as I say, and you'll be quick about it," said Pershin