The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-04
ANECDOTE OF CATLIN AND HIS HORSE
MCHARI Ely y

The Westminster Review" for January in
review OF Mr. Catin's recent work on The Man
ners, Habits Customs, sc. of the American Indians,
quotes the interesting anecdote suboined;
.On this Journey, while he and were Twenty-Five
DAYS alone we had much time and the best Of cir
cun,stances, under which TO learn what we had as
vet overlooked in each others characters, as well
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 little
stream, at half an 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 was fastened, to Craze over circle that
he could nscrbe at the end of his laso. In this wise
he blsy fed himself until nightfall, and after my
coffee was made and drank uniformly moved him
up, with his picket by my head so that could lay
my hand upon his aso in an instant, in of any
alarm that was liable to drive him from me- On
of these evenings, when he grazing usual, lie
slipped the laso over his head, and deliberately took
his supper at his pleasure wherever he chose TO pre-
fer it, as he was strong around. When night APP
preached took the laso in hand and endeayored TO
catch him. but soon saw he determined to en7
ioy a little freedom; and he continually eyaded me
until dark, when abandoned the pursuit, making up
nv mind that should inevitably lose him, and be
Obliged to perform the rest of my journey foot.
He had led me chase of half a mile more, when
left him busily grazing, and returned to my little
solitary bivouac and laid myself on my bear skin and
went to sleep.
In the middle of the night walked, whilst | was
lying my back, and OH half opening my eyes,
instantly shocked to the SOUL by the huge figure,
Gas thought of an Indian, standing 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 was no need Of my NOV
ing-that my faithful horse Charley had played
shyn till he had g filled his belly and had then
moved up, from feelings of pure affection, or from
instructive fear, or 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 he standing fast asleep!
My nerves which had been most violently shocked,
quoted, and fell asleep and 50 continued
until sunrise in the morning, when walked and he.
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 as
buslly at work preparing my own which was eaten !;
and after it had another half hour of ruthless endea-
vors TO catch Charley, whilst he seemed mindful of
success on the evening before, and continually tana
LIED me by turning around and around and keeping
out Of my reach. recol!ected The conclusive evi-
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 slung the saddle my BACK, trailing my
| gun in my hand started on my route. After had
advanced quarter Of mile, booked back, and
him standing with his head and tail very high looking
alternately at me 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 to the spot and seeing every thing gone
began neigh very Violently and at last started off
al the fullest speed and overlook me, passing within
few PAGES Of me, and wheeling about at few sods
distance in front Of me, trembling like aspen
| leaf
called him by his familiar name, and walked up
to him with the bride in my hand, which put over
his head as he held it down for me- and the saddle
on bis back he actually stopped to receive it. |
was soon arranged and on his back when he started
off upon his course as if he was well contented and
pleased like his rider, with the manGuvre which
had brought US together again. and afforded US mu-
tual relief from our awkward positions. Though this
alarming freak OF Charley passed off and terminated
so satisfactorily, yet thought such rather dangerous
ones play, and took good after that night to
keep him under my strict authority resolving to avoid
further tricks and experiments till got TO the land
oil cultivated fields and steady habits.