Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-06-04
RANDOLPH AND CRAWFORD. '

The following amusing passage occurs
in the life of the eccentric Virginia ora
tor. Mr.. Crawford ,iof Georgia, was on
visit to Mr.. Randolph, and the passage
relates to- famous " ride they had
together; , Va 4 U0 z -
The distinguished Georgian then ap.
preached the door, and, by the light Of
numerous pine torches, he saw three
horses rin readiness Mr. Randolph,
pointing to an immense black stallion,
champing, paving and snorting, held by
two stalwart negro fellows, said, " Craw-
ford, mount that horse" Mr.. Crawford
being very large and eorpuleht man
said Mr. Randolph, / can't ride that
horse.n AMOUNT him, Crawford, mount
him" was the reply. Mr.. Crawford re.
monstrated, saying he was not accus-
toned to horseback exercise, and he
doubted his ability to ride that animal
pointing to the restless black stallion,
Mr.. Randolph seemed irritated, and said
rather sharply, Mount, sir; mount
him ~ Mr.. Crawford saw that no excuse
would do, and he finally consented to
mount, which he did, after great efforts,
the stallion neiehing, painting, paving
and rearing, but the negroes held him
securely until the ponderous Georgian
got fairly and squarely into the saddle,
well in the stirrups, and reinS we'll in
hand N GbEFE'r IEEb Ri s.
Mr.. Randolph then mounted large
bay stallion of high mettle, and then
came forth Jubs, the trusty body servant,
dressed in full livery, with cooked hat
and trumpet. LJnba mounted the thor
ough bred mare Triae Mr.. Randolph
| then said, in q clear, shrill voice, AL
ready" at the same time the negroes
unloosed the grip on the black stallion
Juba brought one loud, long blast on his
trumpet aud the horses stood for mo.
ment as if poised in midair, and then,
with tremendous plunge they started.
Juba led the way followed, next by Ran
dolph and the bay stallion, then Mr..
[ Crawford last, on the impetuous and hard
mouthed black stud. Theweather being
cold and dry, and the roads hard frozen,
the morning atmosphere Smote his face
as with o shower of needless; and the
olattcring hoofs of those thoroughbreds
n pom the hard frozen ground in the still,
ness ofthe winter, soon resounded through
those old Virginia hills, like the roar of
a cavalry charge Senator Crawford,
being a man of great muscular power,
made several efforts to stop the head
long career Of his stalwart charger,
but the more he pulled the faster he
ran. He halloed finally to Randolph to
g stop, stop that he could not stand it,
but to all his entreaties Mr.. Randolph
turned deaf ear, and the only response
he could get would be the bugle blast of
Juba far in the van, mounted on the
mare Trihe, who flew through the air
like an arrow, Every time Juba bowed
the trumpet, the black stud ran faster
and faster, until the corpulent Georgian
felt that all was lost But on they sped,
until nearing the fiat lands ofthe Staun-
ton river, when the cry of hounds was
heard, and Mr.. Crawford, casting his
eyes to the left, beheld an immense pack
streaming around the hills to the Christ
mas riders. On came the hounds, and
on went the horsemen. Soon the
Staunton river came in full view, which,
for the moment, promised great relief to
Mr.. Crawford, of Georgia, Oonse-
ouently he watched Juba with the mare,
considerably in advance, as they neared
the urbid and foaming river. Bat as
Juba and the mare struck the river bank,
to the disgust and modification OF Mr.
Crawford, in they went then followed
Mr.. Randolph on the melted bay stall
ton; and, finally, Mr.. Crawford felt that
ali hone was gone, and, with secret
reserVatiou to make one more desperate
effort TO check the wild career Of his
mighty charger, be pulled with the
power Of giant against the bit, but 1t
vas of no use, for the first plunge the
black stHd made he was in swimming
water. .ff raasnrE .ItI.st.r.E
BY this time Mr.. Randolph's full pack
of hounds had caught the party, and
we're swimming and yelling as though
they were within fifty yards Of wound
ed stag or a red fox. The current OF
| Che river was rapid and the water in-
tensely cold, and whilst swimming and
drifting to the other bank the thought
and hope struck Mr.. Crawford, that,
when safely across, the ride for the
balance Of the trip would be at their
leisure. Hence il was that Mr.. Craw-
ford watched again, With no little anxie-
". Juba a1d the mare, still nearing the
opposie bank, when to bis horror, as
oending the bank, Juba brought q blast
OF two on Bis trunpet the mare switched
I the water from her faxen tail, and on
shs vent, Mr. Randolph second aud Mr..
I Cravford and tie black stad third. The
hounds having an even start from the
soath side Of the river now kept up with
ihe Christmas party, and in full CRY as
though they were on the varmest trail
Soon q second pack Joined the first pack,