The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-08-08
CATALH !.

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ment. The Journal expressed itself as
lacking faith in the outcome of the
novel arrangement, but the LEADER,
although not as high authority in mill
tary matters, perhaps, as the Journal,
sees many very fine points in connec-
tion with ostrich cavalry.
In the first place a regiment of os-
triches on dress parade would prove one
of the most gaudy pageants ever wit
messed in the history Of the pomp and
circumstance of war. A legion of
elephants and c2mels were a one-horse
side show in comparison. Its fine
spreading plumage would count far
more than ali the tinseled glory of
plumes, tassels, epaulets and stripes.
No glittering array needed for tile sol
der. Here tiie government would save
a considerable item of expense,
and forever dispense, so far as the
cavalry is concerned, with those
interminable bores, boards on cavalry
uniform.
rs " it0hs ht iOtlho UP HOoA-
lively rs the most economical beast
beg pardon, bird, of burden in all ma
ture. A brigade of ostriches could live
and grow fat on the summit of Pixies
Peak. So long as the line of march was
thickly strewn with the favorite os-
trich fodder, stones and buffalo chips,
there would be no need OF a forage
train. Failing in this supply, the birds
in camp might regale themselves OF a
banquet of canteens, bayonets, cart
ridges and frying pans. Such a feast
might possibly inconvenience the
troops, and the ostriches too, should
the cartridges chance TO have been
h%ard-boiled ut the arsenal. But the
object Of subsisting the motive power
would be gained. And then if the
worst ever came to the worst, the SOL
diers might easily kill the
ostriches by ramming Winches-
tiers down their Threats and
firing shot after shot until the bird
died from sheer exhaustion caused by
the internal conclusion. This done,
axes would open up the crops, from all
of which stones enough might be gath
ered 10 puilu a lori, ana
enough 10 ueiehd IL against u superior
enemy. You see the ostrich may be-
come a walking stone quarry and a
peripa'et'c arsehai-ihVaiuapie quail
| fins tnncgnogn1 hu M nihnr 1pinr n,aa
.ies' POSSESSES ny no other living crea-
'ule'
inere Is no o'erra''hg lne endurance
walk the sun III us uaily tours around
Tue ear.nii IL WASN'T ior tne Two Dig
ponus .Iat uiViue tne continents.
nu. IL Is III actuai warfare mat the
os.ficn may NC i"aue 70 shihe respiehu-
emu. fahcy the CONSERVATION a regl-
ment Oh mounted striches would create
among a superstitious and savage enc
my! Inc mouhted warriors OF ines
sally who, mounted on horses n arm
ed with BOWS and arrows, almost swept
away II destroyed their ignorant en-
emies, did not create a greater panic
Than which waits the Indians who
VIII arst try the shock OF battle with
the coiored ostrich cavalry. Those who
escape being frightened to death on the
spot VIII paint pictures on the tents of
Their tribes, ora new and irresistible
enemy-eagles grown a hundred times
larger than usual n having long legs
with heads and necks composed of men
and armed with guns. Livingstone
says the ostrich has a voice like the
roar OF a lion, n when in battle a
battalion OF ostriches could whisper in
concert so thai the Indians may well
imagine the very thunder OF heaven to
be bridled in the birds. In close quar-
tiers ostriches use their feet to deadly
purpose, n the kangaroo, so they be-
come a powerful weapon Of offense and
deiense.
Du. Inc GROWING quality OIL an os-
trich III battle, is his discretion. This
IL wnere MS giant intellect comes TO
the rescue. An ostrich knows when ne
mas had enough OF IL n nature
prompts II tactlcs-right about, facel
INT hen his steps increase from 30
inches In length U strides OF 10 feet.
Nothing but lightning can overtake
him. lie can cover 30 miles per hour
easily. In such a case the soldiers
would have nothing to do but throw
away their guns, keep cool and cling
tightly tn the necks of the ostr;cbes