Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-25
The Conqusst of the Mule.


 IFrom an Illustrated article by Ernest Inaerson Aprf.l
 The western pack-muls is small, sinewy, and, like old Joey BaRstock, tough, sir, tough! but de-e-vlish sly!" Most of them are bred from Indian ponies and are born on the open plains. Having previously basn lassoed and branded, when three years old they are driven Cor inveiglsd) into 8 corral and sxhibi- ted for sale as bronehos. An untamed horse is model of gentlensss beside them. Some times they are accustomed at once to the sad dle 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 to bear the pack, which is generally the only practicable method of transporting freight through these rugged mountains.
 the excitement may bs imagined. The green mule strong in his youth, having been adroit- Iy s'roped" or laRsosd, is led out into an open space stepping timidly, but, not seeing any cause for alarm, quietly; before he under stands 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 pinchss his nostrils, so at last he comes down and keeps still. Then B man approaches slowly and ciroumspectly, holding behind him leather binder which he seeks to slip over the nules eyes. But two long ears stand in tho way, and the first touch of the leather Is the signal for two jumps-ons 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 the mule. The next attempt is less matter of caution and more of strength, and here the animal has 50 much advantage that often 1t Ina 1AHMnAd M~Hin and thrown t0 Gh6 ground.
 It is fine sight to witness the indignation of such 8 fellow! He falls heavily, yet holds his head high and essays to rise. But his fors-fest ars manacled by ropes and his head is fast. Yet he will shake almost free, get up- on his hind feet, stand straight up and dash down with all his weight in futile efforts for liberty. Secured with more ropes, allow wed but three legs to stand upon and cursed fright fully, he must submit, though he never does 1t with good grace. It Is not always, however, that this extremity Is resorted to. Some ani- thing is being put upon their backs and the fastsnings adjusted-all but one; but when an effort is made tosput that institution called a crupper under young mules tail, language fails to express the character of the kicking
 The light heels describe an arc from the ground to ten feet above it and then strike out at tangent They cut through the air like whiP-lashss and would penetrate an i'm pedimant like bullets. But even mule flesh tires Strategy wins. The crupper is gained and the first hard pull made upon the sinch Gas the eirth 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 onB pull suffices to set him Epringing again-bucking, now, with arohed back and head bstwesn his knees, landing on stiff legs to jar his burden off, or falling full weight on his side and rolling over to scrsps 1t free. He will sit on his launches and hurl himself backward; will duck his head and turn somersault finally will stand still, trembling with anger and exhaustion, and let you lead him away, conquered.