The three Arapaho scouts

[unixronin]

Pretty much everyone who pays attention to military history has heard of the story of the Navajo “code talkers” in World War II, thanks to whom the US Army had a code that the Japanese were totally unable to break.  But this is not the first time the US Army has had valued assistance from the native American tribes.

Indeed, once upon a time, during some of the Indian wars in the Southwest, when the US Cavalry was fighting the Comanche, the US came to the Arapaho to ask for their help because the Army was having trouble even just finding the elusive Comanche.  In response, the Arapaho chief offered the loan of three of his warriors as scouts.

“These are my three fiercest warriors,” he told the Army Major who had come to seek his help.  “They will serve the Great White Father well.  Let me introduce them to you.”

He called forward the first warrior, who wore a necklace of bear claws.

“This is Snarling Bear,” the chief said.  “He fights the Comanche as fiercely and fearlessly as the great bear.”

The warrior stared at the Major, then inclined his head just the slightest fraction.  The Major nodded, and the chief called forward the second warrior, who wore a headdress of horsehair.

“This is Leaping Horse,” the chief continued.  “He pursues the Comanche as swiftly and tirelessly as our finest stallion.”

This warrior too stared at the Major, then inclined his head just slightly.  The Major nodded, and the chief called forth the third warrior.  This warrior wore no decoration, but had the steely gaze of a hawk and the muscles of a tiger, and walked as softly as a shadow.

“This is Running Water,” the chief said proudly.  “He is the best of all my braves.”  The warrior glanced in the Major’s direction, stared through him, dismissed him as though he were an insect, and returned his gaze to the horizon.  The Major blinked.

“How did he get his name?” asked the Major, curiously.  “Does he sweep the Comanche away like a river in flood?”

“No,” the chief answered.  “The Comanche wet themselves when he is near.”

(Have you ever wondered why the sound of running water makes so many people need to use the bathroom?  I have....)