The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-04-22
The Conquest Of the Mule.

The Western pack-mule is small,
sinewy, and, like old Joey Bagstock,
"tough, sir, tough! but de-e-vlish slyl"
Most of them are bred from Indian
ponies and are born on the open plains.
Having previously been lassoed and
branded, when three years old they
are driven Cor inveigled) into corral
and exhibited for sale as 6roach0S. An
untamed horse is a model of gentleness
beside them. Sometimes they are ac-
| customed at once to the saddle by one
of those wonderful riders who can stick
on the back of any thing that runs, and
more rarely they are broken to harness;
but ordinarily their backs are trained to
bear the pack, which is generally the
only practicable mode of transporting
freight through these rugged mountains.
The first time the pack-saddles are
put on the excitement may be imagined.
The green mule, strong in his youth,
having been adroitly "roped " or las
seed, is led out into an open space,
stepping timidly; but, not seeing any
cause for alarm, quietly; before he un-
i derstands what it all means, he finds
that moose of the rawhide lariat about
his neck has been slipped over his nose,
and discovers that his tormentors have
an advantage. He pulls, shakes his
head, stands upright on opposite ends,
but all to no avail. The harder he
pulls, the tighter the moose pinches his
nostrils, so at last he comes down and
keeps still. Then man approaches
slowly and circumspectly, holding be-
hind him q leather binder which he
seeks to slip over the mules eyes. But
two long ears stand in the way, and the
first touch of the leather is the signal
for two jumps-one by the beast and one
by the man, for packers are wise enough
in their day and generation to fight shy
of the business end of mule. The
next attempt is less matter of caution
and more of strength, and here the ami
NAL has SO much advantage that often it
must be lassoed again and thrown to the
ground. a''@% IF
It is fine sight to witness the indig-
nation of such fellow! He falls heav-
lily, yet holds his head high and essays
to rise. But his fore-feet are manacled
by ropes and his head is fast. Yet he
will shake almost free, get upon his
hind feet, stand straight up and dash
down with all his weight in futile efforts
for liberty. Secured with more ropes,
allowed but three legs to stand upon
and cursed frightfully, he must submit,
though he never does it with good grace.
is not always, however, that this ex-
tremity is resorted to-. Some animals
make little resistance while the strange
thing is being put upon their backs and
the fastenings adjusted-al but one
but when an effort is made to put that
Institution called a crupper under a
young mules tail, language fails to ex-
press the character of the kicking! The
light heels describe an arc from the
ground to ten feet above it and
then strike out at a. tangent.
They cut through the air like
whip-lashes and would penetrate
an impediment like bullets. But even
mule-fesh tires. Strategy wins. The
Fcrupper is gained and the first hard
pull made upon the sinch. (as the girth
is termed), which holds firmly every
hair-breadth, and will finally crease the
contour of the mules belly into the
semblance of Cupid's bow. But this
one pull suffices to set him springing
again -bucking, now, with arched back
and head between his knees, landing on
stiff legs to jar his burden off, or falling
full weight on his side and rolling over
to scrape it free. He will sit on his
launches and hurl himself backward !;
will duck his head and turn a somer-
sault; finally will stand still, trembling
with anger and exhaustion, and let you
lead him away eonquered.-Ernest In
gersoN, in Scribaser's for April.