The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-06-26
sMisreAanu.
CADETS on HORSEBACK.
Some of the Riding One Sees at
West Point.
West Point Letter in n. Y. Herald.]

"
bibition-s school of the company-un-
der direction of Col Eugene B, Beau
mont, the present instructor in riding ~
The weather was charming, tile ground
was in splendid condition after the rain
of yesterday, and a large number Of
spectators had assembled to witness the
spectacle, which is generally considered
the most interesting and exciting Of
military exercises. When the seventy
five young mean In their neat uniforms.
with brass buttons glistening in the sun
light, cleaning sabres attheir hips, and
mounted upon spirited and well-groomed
horses, drew up in line in front of the
barracks, and facing the hotel, quarter
of a mile distant across the plain, they
presented a pretty picture. After per-
forming various tactical movements
wheeling right and left, and forming and
reforming into companies, columns, q
dozen figures known only to the initia-
ted-with rapidity and precision that
indicated long training under skillful
teachers, they were again brought into
line, and. each drew his sabre. A blast
from the trumpet and they set off
across the plain at q trot, the horses
prancing and neighing, and the youth
full riders bending first to the right and
then to the left, slashing with their sa-
bres as they went as II striking at pros.
#trate foes. Another call Of the trum
pet, and the horses, as il moved by q
common mechanism, break into a GAL
lop, and the line, without break, DASH
es forward, the riders making the gravel
fly with increased rapidity. Around
each gray jacket, like forked lightning,
the cleaning sabre plays, the horses
warm up to their work, and with foam.
ing mouths and distended nostrils, strive
to escape the curb, and the hills re.echo
with the mighty thud Of their hoofs
mingling with the stirring notes OF the
trumpet. ~ '"Fl ti 'ze'iJa 80
"My Godr exclaims nervous spec.
tator, "they will dash right into the riv-
eri" ra
But no. Just before the elder hedge,
which with light rail divides the plain
from the lawn OF the hotel, the shrill
Halt of the bugle rises above the
clangor, and the horses are with Difficult.
ty reined in. Turning about, an order
sends the company charging back to the
other side of the plain. A few seconds
to give the horses breath, and once more
the line whirls across. 1t is hardly well
under way when the notes of the bugle
ring out, "Charges as forages," and with
a yell that would do credit to Conan.
che Indian each rider digs his heels into
the foaming TANKS Of his steed, wildly
brandishes his weapon and thunders
madly forward at the top of his speed
regardless Of his fellows as if pursuing
a routed enemy. The quality of the
horse now tells. Some springing with
the velocity of an arrow released from
the bow bear their riders far in advance
Of the rest Horses and men seem mad
Both catch their breath, both dilate theil
nostrils, and the flushed face of the man
corresponds to the foaming mouth oi
the beast as they wildly dart across the
field. Another half minute gof this and
it will be impossible to restrain them
from going over the heights into the
river. But few yards from the eehedge
are they, when the imperative voice OF
Colonel Beaumont, translated through
the trumpet, brings the cadet to theil
senses, and the horses are, therefore
back upon their launches. nt ha.tf
~ "ae A RUNAWAY. aadt g
But see, three. Of the lads go on q,
breakneck speed up, the graveled wall
of the hotel lawn, disappear moment,
and again are seen flying like the vino
along the walk which skirts the Plain
and slightly in advance, two abreast.
The horses have gone wild, and rar
away with their riders, go" z"
The spectators do not realize the fact
for moment, and fancy they are look
ing at race as the three gray Jackets
flash in and out OF view through the
trees. Then the faces Of the ladies
blench, and the men are nervous. , ~
'tWhat if they should be dashed
against the trees r. says. 7" =.
"That's the only danger" responds ar
officer; "these lads can not be thrown
otherwise r = ~
Clear around the Plain skim the runa
ways ,and AS the troop ride back at a gal
lop, one Of the three is whisked across
their line Will he not be carried in the
opposite direction by his fractious and
still unmanageable beast9 After dit
ting twice around the Plain, two of TIL
horses are brought under subjectiol
through the skill Of their riders, and re
join the troop. Cadet McMartin wh,
rides the third, has d harder task befor
him. With a mouth hardened by con
stant riding and driving. the anims
takes the bit between his teeth and fairl
takes his own way. The stables are 10
Gated down beside the river under th
bluff, and in that direction the pluck
cadet is carried at terrific speed. Jus
as the animal reaches the brow of tn
declivity, McMartin, with the agility G
an acrobat smoothly trotting around
circle, swings himself lightly from th
saddle in the direction the horse is &C
, ing, and planting bis feet firmly agains
the turf as he alights, he fairly drag
, the beast to standstill without himse
having received a scratch. ~ Meanwhil
the troop is drawn up opposite the bal
| racks for another charge.
81 wish they would not have an
more,"' mutter the ladies. @'
"Splendid exhibition! exclaim, tt
gentlemen, "More exhilarating ths
champagne!' ~ 3ol' '.'
Again the long line gallops forwar
again the bugle orders forage charg
, and with wilder cries than before the
6 thunder forward
: A BROKEN GIRTH.
;. In the midst of the wild rush Faus
e the splendid setter dog of Lieutena
e Townsend, starts out from the line
spectators with q howl. Watching Il