The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-05
ANECDOTE OF CATLIN AND HIS HORSE
"CHARLEY.o

The Westminster Review for January, in a
review OF Mr. Catn's recent work on 6" The Man
ners, Habits Customs, &c. of the American Indians"
quotes the interesting anecdote subjoined:
"On this journey, while he and were TWENTY-FIVE
days alone, we had much time, and the best Of cir
cunstances under which to learn what we had as
yet overlooked in each others characters as well as
to draw great pleasure and real benefit from what
already had learned of each other in our former
travels.
81 generally halted on the bank of some little
stream, at half hour Of sunset, where feed was
good for Charley and where could get wood to kim
die my fire, and water for my coffee. The first thing
was to undress Charley, and drive down his picket
to which he fastened to Craze circle that
he could inscribe at the end of his aso In this wise
he busily fed himself until nghtfall, and after my
coffee made and drank, uniformly moved him
up, with his picket by my head, that could lay
my hand upon his aso in an instant, in case of any
alarm that was liable to drive him from me. On one
of these evenings, when he grazing as usual he
slipped the laso over his head, and deliberately took
his supper at his pleasure wherever he chose pre-
fer it, as he was strolling around. When night APP
preached, took the laso in hand and endeavored to
catch him. but soon saw he was determined to en-
Joy little freedom; and he continually eyaded me
until dark, when abandoned the pursuit, making up
my mind that should inevitably lose him, and be
obliged to perform the rest of my journey foot.
He had led me chase OF half mile more, when
i
solitary bivouac and laid myself on my bear skin and
went to sleep.
g In the middle of the night walked, whilst was
lying on my back and on half opening my eyes,
instantly shocked to the soul, by the huge figure
Gas | thought of an Indian standing over me- and in
the very instant of taking my scalpD The chill of
horror that parayzed me for the first moment, held
me still till saw that there no need of my NOV
ng-that my faithful horse Charley had "played
shy" till he had " filled his belly" and had then
e.
instructive fear, possibly from due share of BOTH
and taken his position with his fore feet at the edge
of my bed with his head hanging directly over me,
while be was standing fast asleep!
MY nerves which had been must violently shocked
were soon queted and fell asleep and so continued
until sunrise in the morning, when walked and be-
held my faithful servant at considerable distance
busily at work picking up his breakfast amongst the
cane brake, along the banks of the creek. went
busIly at work preparing my own, which was eaten;
and after it had another half hour of futless endea
vors 10 catch Charley, whilst he seemed mindful of
the evening before and continually
LIKED me by turning around and around, and keeping
out of my reach. recollected the conclusive evil
dence Of his attachment and dependence which he
had voluntarily given in the night, and thought
would try them In another way; SO packed up my
things and sung the saddle my back, trailing my
gun in my hand, started on my route. After had
advanced quarter of mile, looked back and
him standing with his head and tail very high, looking
alternately at and at the spot where had been
camped, and left little fire burning. In this cond-
ton he stood and surveyed the prairies around for
while, as continued on. He at length walked with
hurried step the spot and seeing every thing gone
began to neigh very violently, and last started off
at the fullest speed, and overlook me- passing within
few PAGES of me, and wheeling about few rods
ditance in front of me, trembling like an aspen
leaf.
g 1 called him by his familiar name and walked up
to him with the bride in my hand which put over
his head, he held it down for me- and the saddle
on his back, he actually stopped to receive it.
was soon arranged, and on his back when he started
off upon his course if he was we'll contented and
pleased, like his rider with the maneuvre which
had brought together again, and afforded us mu-
tual relief from awkward positions. Though this
alarming freak OF Charley's passed off and terminated
so satisfactorily, yet thought such rather dangerous
ones to play and took good after that night
keep him under my strict authority resolving avoid
further tricks and experiments till got the land
Of cultivated fields and steady habits"