THAT Thord survived the Mexican Revolution as a cavalry officer with the Rebel Army was a miracle. With good reason, cavalry general Lucio Blanco warned Thord, ‘Never go out alone at night.’ Thord was not only at risk when under fire from Mexico’s Federal Army, but also from elements within the Rebel Army who suspected him of being a gringo agent. He survived several assassination attempts.
But Thord also had his two Indian bodyguards Pedro and Tekwe to thank for his survival of the revolution. While scouting in hilly terrain below the Sierra Madre in February 1914, Thord, Pedro, and Tekwe had to flee from Federal troops to mountain caves. Pursued by the enemy, they learned from captured pursuers that a price of 50 head of cattle was being offered for Thord’s capture. Plagued with fever, Thord lapsed into unconsciousness and awoke later in a Tarahumara hut. Pedro and Tekwe had carried him there for several kilometres. Federal pursuers who caught up with them in the Tarahumara village were killed. The protection afforded him by the Tarahumara made a lasting impression on Thord.