Litchfield enquirer., 1851-09-11
The Great Swimmer.

| An Uner0mpled Feat of iStrsngM and ERdWrGnce.-We know not that we ever read or heard of more singular incident !! of strength and endurance in a horse, than is evidenced in the following facts furnished by our friend, Capt. Stephen. son of this county. In January last. Capt. s. started South with drove of mules and horses, and proceeded with them as far as the junction of the Bio Warrior and Little Warrior rivers, where they form the Black Warrior in Blount county, Alabama. Here he found the bridge across the Big Warrior had been swept away by high waters, and the fer " boat entirely too small and frail to carry his stock over in safety. He at once determined to swim them across as the only means left of enabling him to proceed with them promptly to his place of destination, and they were accordingly driven into the current and started across the river. With great difficulty they landed safely, with the exception of a large sorrel horse, who, entering the stream too low, was swept gradually down by the force of the current till it's depth and rapidty, and the steepness of the river bank, rendered it impossible to to get him out. Captain Stephenson followed him along the bank for several miles, from half-pasttwo o'clock Monday afternoon until late at night, when it e. came too dark to see him, the horse still swimming against the current, and breast ing it's whole force with the most deter> mined resolution. On Tuesday, Capt. s offered reward to any one who should get him out alive. A number of the neighbors watched the gallant swimmer, but without being able to make any sue cessful attempt towards his rescue. Sev- eral times ne made towards the bank, but it's rocky steepness prevented his getting foothold and sent him back to buffet vainly against the sweeping cur. rent. At one time heavy piece of floating drift wood struck his back, and even with this heavy burden pressing oh him, he struggled upwards as bravely but Intellectually as before. The dark ness of the night again hid him from their view. and none believed he could survive the long and chilling struggle. On Wednesday morning, however, the watchers on the bank again found the noble animal, some miles lower down, still with his head up stream, and braves ly contending with the cold and power full current. Through all that day he maintained his position against the stream. though still carried farther down
 every hour, until towards night he near. ed temporary island formed by slue
 running over the lower grounds ad joining it. At this point a wor.hy old farmer of the neighborhood, Mir. John Porter, sue ceeded in turning him towards the island
 which he finally reached; and from
 thence finally conducted him to the shore
 in safety. Chilled, wea.ied, and worn
 down with the long struggle, the horse
 was hardly able to walk, but the kind
 care and attention of Mr. Porter in the
 course of a few weeks has perfectly re'
 stored him to his woated energy and life Fifty three hours constant struggling
 night and day, against the swelling cur. : rent of such stream as the Black War
 rlor, without food or rest, is an exhibition of courage and endurance which we Ina V. never before known.-Alabama paper.