The National tribune., 1889-01-10

river, as the water revived him and offset the
effect Of the smoke. He hoated down little
way, as though he was dead, and then he began
to move his legs and strike out for the shore.
By the time he reached it he had recovered
some Of his senses and made up his mind to
get out Of the neighbOrhood as fast as his legs
would carry him. He went kiting and ki-yi-
ing up the bank and out of sight and You may
bet all the money you've got he didn't come
back there IN hurry"
That reminds me-" said another soldier,
Of one of our mule-teams in the battle Of Pea
Ridge. There was one of our old mules that
had learned how to gnaw into bag OF oats or
corn, and he'd showed the others how to DO lt.
If they ever got a chance at pile or bags
they'd 90 for ii and spoil good deal more than
they'd eat and it didn't make any difference
how much they were thrashed for stealing,
they wouldn't be broke of it.
But the battle of Pea Ridge settled EN-, and
there amt no more honest mules now in the
whole camp. They had got at pile OF oats
and were gnaWing away at the bags to tear 'em
open, when a small shell dropped right down
into the pile and busted. The air was full Of
oats and smoke aud the way those mules seat
tered was a caution if they hadn't been cor
rallied among the wagons we'd ave lost 'em
altogether. The old ringleader mule was hit
by Of the splinters of the shell, but he
wasn't hurt much-Only enough to remind
him that its dangerous business to steal oats.
You can't get him to go near pile of bags
since then, and all the rest of them follow his
example. Whether they were as scared as he
was or are only acting from example / don't
know, but those mules haven't tried to steal
anything since"
This led to a discussion as to whether ami
mails could communicate with each other, and
for some time there was an animated talk on
the subject The majority of opinions favored
the Affirmative, and on this side of it were
Harry and Jack, both of whom told Of Incl
dents within their own knowledge in support
Of their belief. One Of them was of sufficient
interest TO be repeated.
1t VIII certainly be enjoyed by our readers.
=" When we lived on a farm just outside of
Dubuque" said Harry, I've had dog that
formed great friendship fer one belonging to
our nearest ucighbor. Our dog was called
Tiger, or Tige, and the other one was Pete; be
wasn't named in honor of anybody called
Peter, but because somebody sprinkled him
with Petroleum one day when he had gone
away from home, and before any name had
been picked out for him.
" Tige and Pete used to visit each other, and
they did so on alternate days just as two fash
ionable girls viii call on each other and return
calls. One day when / knew Pete had been at
our house the day before, and it was Tige's
turn to make visit, ] was surprised TO see the
former trotting over to our yard and looking
and then the two dogs stood for fully five min
utes with their noses almost touching each
other, and for all the world it looked as though
they were whispering.
When they got through with their talk
if talk it was, and I'm sure Of it-Pete turned
around and went off home again. We'd been
told that the dogs went of sometimes together
and worried another neighbor's sheep, but we
didn't believe it, as they never troubled any of
ours Pete lived nearest 10 where the other
mans sheep were. He had two pastures,
which were a mile or SO apart. Hissheep were
usually III what he called the home pasture,
but that very morning he'd changed them to
his upper pasture, and Pete knew it.
After Pete had gone Tige hung around for
perhaps an hour, and we watched him without
letting him know that we were doing so. Then
he went out to the back Of the barn, and from
there he sneaked of, not at all in the direction
Of Pete's house, but almost opposite to it. Just
as he left my cousin Charley, who lived FIVE or
six miles off rode up on his saddle-horse, and
we asked bin to swing around and see where
Tige Went TO. You see, if any of us had gone
the dog would have suspected we were follow
ing him, but he wouldn't have any suspicion of
a stranger.
So he followed as best he could and kept
the dog IN sight most of the time, though q
long way of. The way he was going took him
toward the upper pasture, where the sheep had
been put that very morning. Just as he got
near the pasture he saw Tige run up to Pete,
who had been waiting for him, and after they'd
taken another shake of noses, the two dogs
went into the pasture and began worrying the
sheep. They stopped and sneaked off for home
as soon as they saw they were watched, and
though my cousin rode back as fast as he
could Tige was ahead Of him. He looked as
innocent as q lamb and played the hypocrite to
perfection, but the evidence was too strong
against him.
50 Now I'm certain that when Pete came to our
house that morning he came to tell Tige that the
sheep had been moved to the upper pasture, and
If he'd join him ia an hour they'd have some fun.
And if the actions of the dogs are TO be taken
into account he did tell him, just as though he
had spoken in so many words"
All admitted that the story was Interesting
and then other anecdotes were given, all tend
ing TO show that animals, or at least dogs and
other of the more intelligent of the dumb crea-
alton, are able to communicate with each
other.
One of the soldiers who had been on the
Western plains and in the Rocky Mountains
told how he had seen wolves hunt buffaloes and
other large game in a way that showed they
were able to communicate with each other, and
form their plan just as men would under SINH
lar circumstances.
They'll surround q buffalo, a horse, or a
deer, said he, and make perfect circle, all
the wolves keeping the same distances from
each other, and gradually closing in on him,
keeping up a lively snarling whenever he
faces them. The oldest wolf appears to be a
leader, and the rest act as he directs them, and
they never rush on the game till he gives them
the word. While the rest make the circle he
moves around a little inside of it and every
little while he jumps at the heels of the poor
brute and tries TO cut his hamstrings. At the
same time two or three Others are detailed
/ to worry the animal in front, no matter
which way he's facing, and those who are
making the circle keep TO their places.
When the creature has been hamstrung
! there's no chance Of his getting away; the
/ boss gives quick yelp and the whole pack rush
! in and oyerpower him. In less than minute his
throat is torn open and they are qnarreline
oyer the division of the spoils, and then-J'
/ A shot from the bsnk made an abrupt pause
1 in the story.
ITO be eontinuedl
Presentation TO the State OF Vermont.
/ During the closing hours of the Legislature
Of the State Of Vermont, Hon. Henry Ballard. OF
/ Burlington, in behalf of the donors, presented
TO the State life-size oil portrait of the late