Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-20
HOW THEY CROSS RIVERS IN MISsIs-


SIPPT.
The following amusing little sketch is from
the Kosciusko (Miss.) Chronicle
In the northern part of this county there is
a ferry across Big Black river, at which, as
will appear in the sequel, they have very
novel and curious way of propeling the ferry
boat. A friend of ours having occasion 10
cross the liver at that place not long since,
stared for home early in the morning, and ar
rived at the ferry about noon. The water
was hight being long ferriage-and he
hesitated about crossing but after much per-
suaslon, and being told there was no difficulty
in crossing, as his business was urgent he
concluded to try it. Accordingly, The old gen
tleman who had charge of the ferry, called his
negro boy, Joe, and ordered him to catch
" Ned" and bring him TO the place where the
ferry boat lay. Now, Ned is mule which
has seen some ten or twelve summers, and
unlike most mules, of very docile and ODE
dent nature. Ned having been brought on
the ground, he was invested with Il head-stall.
to which was attached two long lines. to serve
as reIns; rope, 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,
friend 10 take his horses bride To this our
friend objected, declaring that he bad never
seen any one cross a river in that manner, and
expressing fears for his own safety as well as
that of his horse, at The same time expre> sing
| a wish to see how the m tier worked. The
| old man assured him there was no kind of dan
ger-not the least in the word-for he had
| taken great pains 10 break Ned and 10 con
vince him, started off with Ned on trial trip.
! Ned kicked a little at the start until he got
into swimming water, when he struck off
handsomely into the current, making circuit
OF some three hundred yards, and brought the
boat back to the starting point in most beau
tful style.
Finding no other way OF crossing the river
that day, as the old man was somewhat i'm
| pregnated with the essence of corn, our friend,
with many doubts and fears, finally consented
TO take seat, as directed, in the stern of the
| boat, and risk the consequences. Ned started
rs before, making straight shoot for the OPP
poslte side of the river, about mile distant
and now beautiful sight presented itself
| Ned, with head and tail up, streaking il
along. followed by the boat, containing the
old man in the bow, with one rein in each
hand, and our friend in the stern, with the
bride of his horse in his right hand. and the
horse just behind, putting and blowing like a
tortoise. But Ned proved TO be of the right
grit, and they arrived safely at the opposite
shore without mishap; Ned dragged the boat
by tail force over the little islands, and swim
ming when The water was deep enough. At
ter landing and taking a horn with The old
man, our friend left him, looking back occa
slonally 10 see how Ned performed in recros
sing; the old man swearing Ned was The
greatest mule in all creation--that he wa:
worth thousand dollars in gold, any man:
money-and that he intended to apply for
patent for his invention for crossing rivers.