XIX 



In constant association with the cavahyman comes 

 that most faithful servant — the only good Indian except 

 a dead one — the Indian scout. There are numbers of 

 these men enlisted in the Army, and many more when oc- 

 casion demands have been temporarily in service. These 

 men are not to be confounded with the Indians who have 

 recently been recruited, with questionable results, in the 

 rank and file. The scouts are men of exceptional reli- 

 ability and intelligence, and as a rule have proved to be 

 valuable in a high degree. Some have rendered unusual 

 service. The Indian scout receives the pay and allowance 

 of the cavalry soldier. He may have come of any tribe. 

 He finds his own ponies, but has issued to him a Govern- 

 ment saddle and equipments, and barring spurs, for which 

 he substitutes the invariable quirt, delights in Uncle Sam's 

 uniform, as, more's the pity, every soldier does not. Why 

 is the profession which, honorably filled, is the noblest of 

 all professions, if courage, endurance, and all the most 

 manly qualities in their highest expression can ennoble a 

 profession, looked on askance by ail-Americans 'i It is a 

 fact of which we should be heartily ashamed, that the 

 United States uniform, which has covered the breasts of 

 so many heroes, from George Washington to Ulysses S. 

 Grant, is to-day a badge of ostracism. It is this, more 

 than any other one fact, which lies at the root of the nu- 

 merous desertions from the Army. 



Since the aborigines have been kept on the reserva- 



