The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-04
ON THE PLAINS IN '65.

sight ofan Indian Camp-'nrrOw ~
cape-..AwingiAg Round the Circle
Misplace d ,Confidense-..PIatte River
/ d and JuIesburE.n ~. ..,s ..
BY SERGEANT HOLIDAY.
3lf f favIl2, I.a 4
The little donkey moved along very
nicely and1 congratulated myself upon
my good fortune in being half owner in
such valuable mule. After travelling for
several hours up rough canyon Their
across vast hot sandy desert, l reached 4
small stream which at once concluded
was the gulch. Iguessed that l was now
not less than fifteen miles from camp and
although hsd thought but little Of danger,
l all at once became very uneasy and won.
dered why had allowed myself to be
fooled in such manner.
Once on my way, had seen few OBJ.
jects 30 far away that l could not tell what
they were but supposed them to be ante.
lope, but they had disappeared and now
had fears that they might have been Ia.
dams. had reached the head OF canyon
which ran down to what appeared to be q
narrow valley covered with green grass
through which flowed clear fresh stream
and now began to approach very cauti.
ously. The plain over which Ihad travelled
was strewn with cactus plants 80 thick that
my mule could scarcely find his way
through them, and | had not expected any
game to be found upon such desolute
waste, but now as looked down into the
little green valley before me | said to N.Y.
self: "Surely there must be antelope
here."' Just then my attention WAS at.
tracted to something | had Just gotten
glimpse Of over the bluff, and quick as
thought threw myself fiat upon the mules
neck. >. He came to dead halt. Then his
tail gave a few quick jerks, his ears came
together until their tips touched then there
was perceptible movement in bis back,
and be assumed the shape OF a rainbow.
My position was uncomfortable. 1t was
like ridiuga grindstone. In spite OF my
desperate prods with the two Mexican
spurs upon my heels and the vigorous jerks
at the bride rein, his head would stay
down and his back up. From my elevated
position, got one glimpse Of q large herd
OF antelope running at full speed down the
valley, and thought that1 caught faint
view OF ponies with saddles on them, graz
ing some distance away, but it was like a
momentary dream. Before | had time Tor
thought the heels OF the donkey flew up
and his spine gave an extra bow, and he
seemed TO me TO be walking on his ears.
Had my face been turned the opposite d.
re c,ion / think could have held my posi-.
ton and bstil.d his efforts, for could
then have held on to his tail. In that
short moment ! learned which was
the business end OF mule. Well, OF
course the crisis came and the ground
dew up aud hit me on the fiat Of the
back, SO itappeared from my standpoint
or rather my laypoint. This Vas Rot the
end, On no, II ii could have ended here
could have easily forgiven the mule, for
| felt that this wasno time or place Tor
making enemi,s not even with an ass.
In my descent, became entangled in the
longfope whichwas wrapped loosely around
his neck, and to add TO my discomfort he
took particular pains 10 land me in q thick
patch Of prickly pears, nor did he let up
with that. Before lcould exlricate myself
from the lasso he deliberately turned and
kicked square at my head. But he shot
high ana | Rugged the cactus burrs with.
out ieelinga. sting as the thorns were
buried deep into my flesh.
i The mule now doubtless thought be bad
done the work for me, and he. now COM
menced to plow the sand with MY PROSTATE
fJrm, dragging me feet foremost. My bleed.
ing hands grasped every tuft OF grass, and
every prirely pear which was 10 reach, but
Aeyallpulled up. and the blowing went
on. Luckily he didn't move fast; but fast
enoushifor me. / didn't want 10 90 any
iaster on That coach. or course | was
angry, but felt willing to forgive the mule
# be would only stop until could release
myself and tried by soft wordst to convince
him OK the fact, but be didn't stop. felt
Tor my revolver determined to end the fun
at once by shooting him; but my revolver
had slipped from lls scabbard and was out
oflfeach. !lnidespair l'almost gave up, Tor
Twas certain the mule would soon run,
and / knew that my bylaws and constitu.
tion couldneyer STAND that I'D
5s'Oh' how wished fora tree, or q fence
post around which 10 lock my arms, and
pull the old mules neck Gif, but there was
no tree in d hundred miles OF the place.
But all things have m end except eternity.
The donkey stopped 10 kick cactus burr
loose from bis fetIock, and took advantage
d The stop and kicked myself loose from
the rope. ~.
/ then seized tho pin and with dexter.
otis stamp Of my heel sent 1t into the
psound up to the ring, then stood upon
It. The mule gave little pull, found he
was fast, then turned, as thought smiled
n me. thus adding insult 10 injury. ! now
thought knew why the mule was found
adriit on the plains. His master had
given Kim o dishonorable discharge. 81
GsI was now mad, and ! told the mule 80
| In . long abusive address. delivered there
where no human could hear II. But l now
Ithink thatI was wasting my breath upon
Ethe desert mir, for my alter acquaintance
With That mule convinced me that he was
mot over sensitive and that he was quite
dull q comprehension and could notItake
| a hint without a kick, and not even that
without returning the compliment.
IF was going 80shhot the mule as soon as
I could get my gun, but the question arose,
HOW could l kill my hall without injuring
INV partners, half-which end Of the old
thine wasinibe aud which was bis ? Then
when ! 7repspbegesd .,ba. vas ,,t fifteen ~
lmiles from camp anddn bad condition to
Ralk Concluded p ppt oH the execution
until some future time! Z Z Is
By cautious coaxipg deceived the brute
iniothe belief that the past was forgotten
and i succeeded in'getting hold upon the
bride. Then ! led him back along the
Throw which no had plowed, until came
10 ltyfeafbine andireyoiver. ! now pro
rcseded 10 curry him down with the gun
until sympathy oycrriiled insttee and | LEI
q np, much to the satisfaction and dellgh