Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-04-03
THE MOUNTED POLICE.
Bold Troopers Who Keep Order In tho
Northwest Territory of Canada.


Northwest Territory of Canada.
The organization employed in the
Northwest Territory of tho Dominion
to keep order, suppress the sale of
spirituous liquors. hunt down horse
thieves, and enforce among the In
dians respect for tho law, is the
mounted police. They arc about
twelve hundred strong, bat seldom,
except during hostilities with the In
dians or half-breeds, arc found to-
gethcr In large bodies, being scattered
all the way from Manitoba TO the
Pacific. Although q civil constabulary,
they are military in organization. A
fne-looking sci, too, they are, well
drilled, we'll ''sct up" and uniformed
in red coats and light blue riding
,breeches with orange trimmings. Hav-
ing better pay than the men of the
army their recruits ar5 picked from
many applicants some being veterans
of India, Egyptor Sou.h Africa. Many
of the officers have been promoted
from the ranks on competitive exam
ination and good records.
Tho mounted police are armed with
Winchester carbnes and Enfield
revolvers. but the privates do not
carry sabers. Even when off duty
they arc still booted and spurred, with
belt and revolver Like tho British
soldier the mounted policeman uses
pipc-clay and blacking in profusion to
keep his equipments in trim, and from
his cap, pcrched at as great an anglo
on the right sido as his right ear will
permit, down to his polished boots
with their invariable silvered spurs,
with which it is tabled that he sleeps,
he presents a correct military appear
ance. The mounted police are fine
body of cavalry, riding Montana
.hronchos, but not carrying cavalry
pack, as they usually move with q
wagon for each small detachment
carrying what they need. There is
littlo deserion among them. though
now ana then the lonolinass of winter
quarters leads 10 II. They have learned
the need of brcvity and firmness in
their dealings with Indian ma
rauders. An officer follows stolen
horses to an Indian camp, and
leaving his escort behind, goes 10 the
chiefs lodge, sits down. lights his
pipo and says: ''You have stolen
horses in this camp, l must have
them brought to me. When the sun is
so high tpointing up). Il leave"
Then he puifs his pipe and is silent.
Tho horses arc generally brought.
There is plenty of scope for skill and
nerve in the duties imposed on the
IN ountcd police.
The sports and games of tho cavalry
service comprise wrestling on bare
back horses, vaulting. leaping and
feats of manege riding, including the
'"horsoback version of tho Iancers.
Men are not detailed for this service;
1T is strictly amusement, and is par
ticipated in by officers. non-commis.
stoned officers and privates with truly
democratic equality. Good horseman-
ship is the only passport required. and
firm and easy must be the
scat of any who aspires to
Join tho ride, For tho "Lancers''
sixteen troopers take part and
for the occasion we are describing they
had imported some bamboo lances,
and with their Mexican saddles and
fiery bronchos they present very
strange spectacle to eyes accus toned
TO tue usual cavalry set-up Tho
brass band strikes up lively air, the
audience gather round-Indians.
travellers, policemen. all the popula-
ton of the frontier post-and then the
ride begins First at walk, then at
trot, finally at gallop, they cross
and drecross, grand chain. all the fig
ures OF the wcll-known dance as far
as can bo adapted for quadrupcd per-
formers The grand last act is n
charge, with lances ''lcvelcd in long.
long row." delivered | with vim that
made our special artist, who from the
vantage ground of a soap box was
sketching the scene, feel his point Of
observation decidedly insecure. These
rides can only DO held in the larger
garrisons, as at the smaller scattered
posts the requisite number of men can
rarely be mustered. -Hdrper'S Weakly