Daily Republican., 1880-03-24
rha Conaue.t of the lIaIe.

from an illustrated article BY Efpeat In
gersoll on "lsocky Mountain Mules, I'm Scrio
ler for April)
Tbs western pack-mule Is small, sin
levy, and, like old Joey Bsgstock,
"tough, sir, tough but ds-e-vlish sly!'
Most Of them are bred from Indian po'
MES and are born on ths open plains
Having previously been lassosd and
branded, when three years old they
are driven Cor inveigled) into corral
and exhibited for sale as "bronchos.' -
An untamed horse is model Of gentle
ness beside them. Sometimes they are
accustomed at once TO the saddle by one
of those wonderful riders who can stick
on the back of anything that runs, and
more rarely they are broken to harness;
but ordinarily their backs are trained
10 bear the pack, which is generally
the only practicable method Of trans.
porting freight through these rugged
mountains.
The nrst time the pack-saddles are
put on, the excitement may be imag-
ined. The green mule, strong in his
youth, having been adroitly "roped"
or lassosd, is led out into an open srGce
stepping timidly, but, no. seeing any
cause for alarm, quietly; before, lie I'M.
dsrstands what 1t all means, he finds
that q 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
,he tighter The moose pinches his nos
trils, SO a. last he comes down and
keeps still. Then man approaches
slowly and circumspectly, holding be-
hind him leather blirder which he
seeks to slip over the mules eyes. Bat
two long ears stand 10 the way, End
the first touch Of the leather ia the sig. |
nal for two jumps-one by the beast
and one by the man, for packers are
wise enough in their day and genera
lion 10 fight shy Of the business end Of
} mule. The next attempt Ia less a
matter Of caution and more Of strength,
and here the animal has so much ad-
rantage that often it must be lassoed
md thrown to the grouAd.
1t is fine sight to witness the indig-
ration Of such fellow He falls hea-
'ily, yet holds his head high and essays
o rise. But his foro.feet are manacled
" ropes and his head Is fast. Yot he
Vill shake almost free, get upon his |
sand straight up and dash
own with all his weight in futile ef-
nrts for liberty. Secured with more
opes, allowed but three legs to stand
pom and cursed !rightlully, he must
nbrnit, though he never does it with
God grace. 1t is not always, however, :
hat this extremity is resOrted to. Some I
nimals make little resistance while tho =
range thing is heing put upon their |
scks and the fastenings adjusted-all
ut one but when an effort is made to
u, that institution called crupper t
nder young mules tail, language 0
ills to express the character of the q
licking The light heels describe an -"
&c from the ground to ten feet above
and then strike out at tangent. u
hey cut through ths air like whip 4
shes, aud would penetrate an impedi- q
emit like bullets. But even mule-hesh b
res. Strategy wins. The crupper is "
lined and the first hard pull made Il
pom the sinch (as the girth is termed
hich holds frIuly every hair be meath, tt
ID will finally crease the contour of m
o mules belly into the semblauce tc
Cupid's bow. But this one pull suf- T
es to set him springing again-buek- B
e, now, with arcbed back and bead
tween his knees, landing on stiff legs NJ
jar his burden off, or falling full I'll
light on his side and rolling over to nj
rape it free. He will sit on his CT
lunches and hurl himself backward,
II duck his head and turn a somer-
ult; finally will stand still trembling
tn anger and exhaustion, aud let you IN
ID him away, conquered.