The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-23

when he is sound asleep, what couldn't he
DO if he was dead p',-Mark 9uain. -.
-. - THE HORSE IN RUSSIA.
The bovine breeds, nsed in Russia for
|draughtpurposes, are quite remarkable for
Esise, strength, and doei1ity, and these use.
|ful adjuncts Of civilization are supplement-
ed by the buffalo and camel, both Of which
are largely used in Southern Russia. It 10
in the horse, however, that the stock-fan.
cier will find the most interest. The great
est sport the Russian gentleman knows is
fast driving, and he spares neither trouble
nor moneyin gratifying this fancy. good
pair Of fast trotting- horses, Of the Count
Orloff breed, not unfrequently commands
in the market thousand pounds sterling:
These are magnificent animals, invariably
driven without blinkers, for the Russian
coachman says: "Give horse every chance
to look about and examine every object be-
fore him, and he will not shy" X
The noblest breed Of horses in Russia 10
found among the Tcherkess "a Caucasian
tribe) of Great and Little Kabardah.
Brought up in the wild steppe, amid dan.
gers and nightly alarms, its apprehensive
sagacity becomes early developed in q high
degree. It is fine animal, with strong
spine, powerful Group and thigh, and great
width Of shoulder and chest; the knee-caps
are broad, the hoof as if formed Of iron,
head and neck tolerably light; everything
seems combined to render them trusty, in.
defatigable servants to man. The Tchet3
clients, the most ferocious and determined
brigands Of the Caucasus (now fortunately
only in small numbers), used to buy their;
horses in the Kabardah. They pick out the
most promising one-year-olds, take them
home, where they are, so to say, received
into the bosom of the family. They receive
their food when the latter sits down to a
meal, and they often sleep in the same
room. The young children will play with
them, talk to them, and crawl all day long.
over and about them; what wonder If the
horse becomes almost as wise as its master
The young boys VIII sometimes mount him
and gallop over the prairies, but no adult
thinks Of bestriding him before he has fin
ished his sixth year. His bones have then
become firmly developed, his sinews and
feet are steel, his wind is -invincible. Be
knows his masters voice and look-nay, he
has even some notions of his character.
His nerves have from his birth been finely
tuned to the sound Of danger or mysterious
enterprise. It knows when it's brigand
master is on an expedition Of risk and un-.
lawful daring. A whispered word sends
him down into the high steppe-weed or
bushes situated noar the road at a place
where the latter is difficult, where a con.
venient ditch is at hand to receive car
riage and its human freight. In breathless
silence both wait for what may turn up.
The ears of the Tchetchentsian Black Bess
slyly move to every watt Of the light wind,
and before the man can hear the slightest
sound he sees by the demeanor Of his steed
that business will soon be at hand. Harki
faint sound Of the postal bell (fastened to
the pole Of the vehicle) strikes his ear, he
feels for his gun, his pistol, his razor-edged
sword, the large dagger (kintchaD and
breathlessly awaits the approach Of the
travellers. Not single thought bestowing
on the probable number or quality Of the
foe, he stands over bis horse, which slowly
gathers his feet up beneath him. At last
the moment for action has arrived. The
carriage is just at the right distance from
the ditch or other accidental difficulty Of the
road-a soft touch, and horse and man are
up. With the bound Of tiger the horse
pounces upon the leaders, attacking them
with hoof and tooth. simultaneously the
rider has fired at the driver; mad with ter
ror. the post-horses have jumped of the
read, precipitating the carriage in the hole.
and before it's inmates have time to feel for
their re7olvers, they are eased Of at least
part of their property, and may thank God
they have not broken neck or limb in the
fall. Before they recover from their fright,
the Tchetchent is already several miles on
his gallop home. Hehasa hard ride before
him, and he, as well as his cunning quad
ruped, knows it full well; for tomorrow
there will be an inquiry about where Mu-
hamed, Arsslan Bey, or Moussa, was that
night. With calm smile, our brigand
friend replies to the Russian Grado.Natch-
alnik's question:
"Where should have been but heref
The robbery was committed near the Ak
honskay Stanitzi, one hundred and fifty
versts (eighty miles away from here, and
whatp at nine o'clock; you say. Why,
was here at twelve, as can prove, and
I could not ride that distance in three
hours"
The officer, up to Tchetchent's tricks,
and anything but satisfied, turns to the
steed to discover from her appearance the
effects of 80 severe a ride; but the nag is
quietly eating her corn, and looking as
contented and playful as if she knew her
masters safety depended on her brave
bearing.
A TENNESSEE CAVE.