The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-05-29
MI / S G elIa1a us.
A Wild Horse With A History.

A Wild Horse With A History.
General James S. Brisbn, in an account
of an expedition into the Wind River
country, tells the following:
At Brown we saw horse that had u his
tory worth relating. Some years ago the
Cheyenne Indians stole him in Kansas, and
sold him to the Utes, who in turn sold him
to the Sioux, from which tribe he was
bought Or stolen by the Snake Indians and
brought to the valley OF the Popogaie.
Here he escaped, and for a long time baf.
fled all efforts to recapture him. At
length he was caught and sold to Mr.. Gal
lager, but while being taken to the settle
ments he broke a strong chain and ran
away into the mountains. In time he re-
appeared on his old stamping grounds, and
again the Indians laid plans to teke him.
He was so fleet he could outrun their best
horses, and no number of them could run
him down. When surrounded or cornered
he bit, kicked and fought so fiercely it was
impossible to hold him. One day he was
surprised in canon by body of warriors
and lassoed before he could get out. Sc
curely tied with ropes, he was brought to
the Indian camp, and starved, beaten and
choked into emiobedience An ambi-
tious Indian attempted to ride him, and
away he went to the hills. Late at night
the Indian returned to camp, sore and tired,
but without the horse; he had been thrown
and the animal was once more at large.
He was often seen after this, but detied all
attempts to take him. One afternoon an
Indian who was out fishing saw the wild
horse grazing under bluff, and, tying u
L., 10 H. l, LA a.,
edge of the rocks, and threw the moose
with unerring precision. The horse drag
ged the rock for some distance, but choked
by the thong, he staggered, fell to the
ground and was once more bound hard
and fast. The Indians now tied him with
a log chain to tree, but even this he man.
aged to break, and fled to the hills.
He was not seen for a long time, but soon
after the founding of Camp Brown, a senti-
mel reported horse on the bluffs, and on
examining the animal through glass, it
was found to be the famous wild horse.
On attempting to approach him he fled
like the wind into the mountains; but the
next day was again seen perched on the
bluff, quietly looking down at the camp
The commanding officer ordered him not
to be disturbed, and the next day put some
mules on the bluff to Craze. He came
down and remained with them all day, but
retired at night into the mountains. The
next day he came down to the cavalry herd
on the plain, but seemed greatly excited,
and kept running about all day. The COM
handing officer directed that no one should
pursue him as long as he kept in motion,
and, by gentle alarms, he was made to gal
lop in wide circles about the herd, but, as
if charmed, would constantly return to it.
Late in the afternoon, parties of cavalry
men on mules and company of infantry
were sent quietly out of the fort, and occu-
pied the passes and hill tops for miles. 1t
was known he would break through a
small circle, and so an immense one was
formed to run him down. The pursuing
party were twenty in number, and
stationed at equal distances. No two were
to pursue the horse at once, unless signal
for all to close in was given. The chase
began, and, as is the custom of animals
when hard pressed, the horse ran nearly in
a circle. The trap had been adroitly laid
new pursuers constantly keeping him at his
mettle, while the old ones dropped out tC
occupy the stations in the great ring.
The rapidity and length of time which
He run were IHCTculole. l. Hc 10y CHILLI lit
had on when he made his last escape from
the Indians was still about his neck, and
the end of it threshed his fore-legs unit
the hair and even the skin was beaten offant
the blood ran down. On he went likt
the wind, shaking off cavalryman afte
cavalryman, and opening wide gaps be
tween him and his pursuers. 1t was get
ting near dark, and still the chase con
tinued, the horse showing no great signs o
distress. AS his astonishing powers be
came more evident, the desire to capture
him increased and shouts of admiration
went up from the little group of officer
gathered on the lookout at the fort when
ever he distanced his pursuers.
At length the signal to close in was Civ
en-, and then began the scramble. Mel
mounted on horses and mules, and on foot
moved forward, and the circle gradual
lessened, until wall of human flesh boun'
in the noble horse on every side. ROM,
and round the circle he went, his nostril
distended and his eye flashing fire. No,
a bayonet was leveled at his breast the mex
instant cavalryman thrust at him with
sabre and the next lariat whirled b
his cars, causing him to exhibit the great
est terror. AT last, making tremendou
charge he broke the line and attempted
reach the hills. For time he kept ahea
of his pursuers, and the cavalry horses on
by one dropped behind but the mule
showed thnir or to,luhnncs md clooo