The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1848-04-28
How they sometimes cross rivers in Mis-
sissippis

" 49, AAN@AS AA SAG
sissippi.
W. find the following amusing little sketbh
in the Kosciusko Miss Chronicle, Of the 18th
inst:
In the northern part Of this county there is
a ferry across Big Black river, at which, as viii
appear in the sequel, they have a very novel
and curious way OF propelling the ferrybtat.-
A friend Of ours having occasion to cross the
river at that place not long since, started from
home early in the morning, and arrived at the
Ferry about noon. The water was hight
being long ferriage and he hesitated about
crossring; but after much persuasion, and be-
ing told there was no difficulty in crossing,
as his business was urgent he concluded to
try it. accordingly, the old gentleman who
had charge Of the ferry, called his negro boy,
Joer and ordered him to catch "Ned," and
bring him to the place where the ferryboat
lay. Now, "Ned' is a mule which has seen
some ten or twelve summers, and unlike most
mules, Of a very docile and obedient nature.
"Ned" having been brought on the ground, he
was invested with a headstall, which was at
Lached two long lines, to serve as reins; a
rope was attached to the bow of the boat, was
then securely made fast to Ned's tail, All
things being now in readiness, the old man took
his seat in the bow Of the boat, with the reins
in his hand, and invited our friend TO take q
seat in the stern, and lead his horse by the bril-
die. To this our friend objected, declaring he
had never seen any one cross a river in tha
manner, and expressing fears for his own safe
ty as we'll as that of his horse, at the same
time expressing a wish to see how the thing
worke ed. The old man assured him then
was no kind Of danger-not the least in tht
w%orld-for he had taken great Pains to breal
Ned; and to convince him, started off will
Ned on a trial tripa kicked a little a
the start until he got into swimming water
when he struck off handsomely into the cur
rent, making a circuit Of some three hundre
Yards. and brought the boat back to the star
ting point in most beautiful style.
Finding there was no other way ofcrossing tn
river that day, as the old man was somewha
impregnated with the essence of corn. GU
friend, with many doubts and fears, final
consented to take d seat. as directed, In tn
stern Of the boat, and risk the consequen
ces. "Ned' started as before, making astraigh
shoot for the opposite side of the river, abou
a mile distant-and now a beautiful sight pre-
sented itself. "Ned," with head and tail up
streukiDg it along, follow by the boat, contain
ing the old man in the bow, with one rein !
/ each hand, and our friend in the stern, wit
the bride of his horse in his right hand an
f the horse just behind, putting andblowing lk
!, a tortoise. But "Ned" proved to be of tn
right grit, and they arrived safely at the oPpf
| site shore without mishap. "Ned" draggln
f the boat by tail force over the little islands !
: the swami on the opposite side, and swimmln
when the water was deep enough, After lar
ding and taking a horn with cold man, OF
friend left him, looking back occasionally
see how "Ned" performed in re-crossing; tn
$ old man swearing "Nod was the greatest muI
: in all creation-that he was worth a th3usan
dollars in gold, any mans money-and TIT
he intended 10 apply fora patent to his inve'
n ton for crossing rivers,