Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-01-03
An ARABIAN CHARGER.
An Army Officers Enthusiastic
ReeOIIectiOns of his Horse.


W likes spirit oil tue limes.l
While our brigade was temporarily
quartered near 0vertOn -Four Corners
in 1868 / was an officer upon the
generals staff, and was passing With
orders one afternoon along the rough
path our command had opened through
a long stretch OF scrub timber, toward
the front, when | encountered a
shAb5ily dressed mulatto boy skulking,
apparently, in the woods, and leading
by o rugged rope halter a miserable
booking, faded, lame horse, which, in
spite Of its plainly fprlorn physical
condition, challenged my notice from
the several striking and good points in
its form, and especially from its
peculiarly intelligent and attractive
head and features. | halted the
negro, and inquired where he got the
beast.
"Pick't err up on der road he re-
sponded quickly.
Picked her up When?"
"Two-free days ago, sah.'
What do you know about herr |
continued, as | advanced and hurriedly
examined her head and nozzle.
Muffin sab" said the darkey, in
differently.
What Is the matter with the
mare?' l asked.
She's dun gone dead lame, salt, .
he replied, pointing down to her
swollen nigh fore foot, which she
scarcely touched to the ground as
she hobbled tremblingly along.
Follow me, then" / said, authori-
tatiyeIy, and bring the mare along. /
viii provide lor you" And an hour
afterward / had Reub and the Grip
pied beast in camp.
In a few weeks she rapidly gained
in aesh, aud her spirited action and
movements induced me one morning
to mount and ride her away to the
post cOmmissary s depOt-a distance Of
sixteen miles from our camp. | found
her the best saddle horse / ever be-
strobe, and at once. appropriated this
Gne animal to my own private use.
For two years thereafter | rode her
constantly in the military service.
Prom her wonderful Aeetness and
evident high breeding, / named hOr
Borak-in Arabic s%ignifyiDs light
ming
Her courage was indomitable, her
intelligence almost human, her temp
er sineularly docile, and her affection
most remarkable. Upon the march,
when | uearied o. bostridiBg her, she
would follow me in the line like a
watchful deg. Upon hating, when
We lay down at noon for a temporary
rest, she would lie down beside me
quietly until the column was again in
motion, when she would jump to her
feet without word or signal and pa
tiently wait till mounted, or led the
way on foot, when she would fall in
as promptly az any trained soldier IN
tne ranks.
She became strangely attached TO
my Othertwo army horses after a little
while, and would recognize them in
the field. BY day or BY night, With sin
gular afoction-oiten after my staff
duties had separated US for days to-
gether from her camp stable mates.
But toward me, individually, she was
the moat demonstrative in her kindly
and loving attentions. On two coca
sions was stricken down and leftthe
field I'm bospitaD, when | was absent
from duty three TO four weeks at q
time. On my recovery, the moment
she saw me near her, she pranced and
danced neryously about, with seem.
lug zaalousjoy at my return and amid
her cheering ueighs | could almost
fancy | heard her saying, Hoy as
YOU. old boy2 Where have you beeni
I'm right glad to meet you, all 50
chirpy again.
Her capacity fos endurance her
abundant physical strength; her fine
ear and muzzle, as well as form; and
the constant evidence she gave Of her
intelligent reasoningpOWer, reminded
me many times during my acqualn-
lance with her remarkable qualities
of the likeness 10 the favorite mare IN
the story related By Lamartine, Of a
notable Arab courses, belonging 70 a
captured chief. This anecdoie may
not be new to you, butt will be fresh
perhaps 70 many Of your readers.
The tribe under Abou-el llarek bad
beeu vanquishad IN a fight 10 Oh,
deeerf. and this ehisl vas tske
prisoner. With his horse, 70 Acre
bound hand and foot lie 9asthfor'