The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-08-02
BIRTHSTONE.


RADIO; the time, the summer of 1866, when
the Plains Indians east of the Rocky
Mountains were in general outbreak
against the whites. A large wagon train
under charge of that veteran and noted
freighter, Pete Ouray, was on its way
westward to Salt Lake City.
At that time the plains stretching be-
tween Eastern Kansas and the Rocky
Mountains were barren waste, unbroken
by abodes Of civilized men save an oc-
casional military or trading post, and the
stations Of the Ben Holiday overland
stage line. Civilized men might cross and
even hunt on its dreary expanse, but it
was regarded as fit home only for In
dams, buffaloes, antelope and coyotes.
The train had proceeded so far on its
journey without misadyenture. The grass
was good, and there had been no Indian
attack. Signs of the hostiles, however.
were not wanting, and some were omi-
nous enough. But two or three DAYS be-
fore the freighters had come up with
wagon train which had left Kansas City a
little ahead of them.
1t was dismal sight The mules were
gone, and the wagons plundered wreck.
The teamsters lay about dead, all scalped
and mutilated with every freak of savage
barbarity.
All this tended to produce reflections
the reverse of cheerful in the minds of the
finders. After burying in one grave the
mangled bodies, the teamsters returned
to their wagons, and the train moved on.
But scenes even as appalling as this do
not long depress men accustomed to ever
present dangers. The expedition was
strong in men and equipment, and, to
guard against surprise by Indians, vigi-
liant watch was kept night and day.
1t happened that on this June day, af-
ter the MONDAY halt, three men whose
duties did not call them to the wagon
seats fingered after the train moved on,
TO let their horses Craze on the luxuriant
new grass.
1 have said horses. To be exact, there
were two horses and a mule. The mule.
an important figure in my story, was the
special saddle animal of Frank Sanger, a
daring young rider, who was making his
third trip across the plains. s'Brim-
stone, the animal name, indicated both
the quality of its temper and its peculiar
yellow color.
Birthstone had joined the expedition in
this wise: A lank, discouraged-looki
Missourian brought him to the wagon
train as 1t was about leaving Kansas CITY. |
The man wanted badly to sell, and Of
fered the beast at a price far below bis
seeming value. tie showed proper vouch- 4
ers for his ownership, and Pete Ouray
bought the animal for song.
When Pete tried to use the mule he
thought that he had paid far too much. !
He first harnessed him in team, but no
ssooner did the traces begin to draw than
the beast fell to kicking and plunging.
and finally TUNED short round and faced !
the wagon. He so mixed up the entire
eight-mule team that parts Of the harness
had to be cut to get them clear. He was
excused from further service as draught |
animal, and remanded for the time being
to a halter.
He kicked, struck and bit at whom or
whatever was about him. There seemed !
to be no bounds TO the reach of his hind |
legs and his accuracy in locating his
hoofs. 1t was commonly believed that he
could kick round a corner. That he was
worse than useless Joe Dubbs was free to
assert, as he came limping from the cor
raj, holding his knee with both hands 4
and hunting for a revolver; he was VOW /
ing, In the first transports of pain and 1
rage, to kill the maleyolent brute. which 4
had assumed look of extreme innocence
to lure him near enough for u telling
kick; but Birthstone lived and kicked on /
serenely. He had destiny to fulfil that
no blusterings of Infatuated teamsters
could avert.
Bigspur Bill, who claimed to be
bronco breaker, offered to ride him. '.Tn |
make a saddle mule of him, or git broke |
up tryin', - he said, with an air of de-
termination, as he posed heroically in
Mexican pantaloons, set off by spurs like
rising suns.
All hands turned to and helped, and
Birthstone, with much ado, was saddled
and bridled -Four men held him. Bill /
got in the saddle.
''Now turn him loose, boys, he said.
The men at the mules head Let 90.
BIimstone's head went down TO his fore
legs, his back rounded and he went into
the air. When he came back to earth,
Bill, who had gone some feet higher, re-
mained a'tride the high corral fence on
which he had fallen, and which he seemed
to prefer 70 his late seat in the saddle.
Birthstone kicked for him hopefully,
whereat Bill slipped down on the other
side, and, with clanking spurs, made
rapid tracks for safety.
For time after this no one undertook
to handle the yellow mule, which lived at
ease, toiling not in the long days march,
except to follow leisurely the wagon to
which he was tied. Pete Ouray became
disguised. Il don't know what to do
with the BRUTE" ne said. II hate to
give up for useless young mule with as
fine p'ints as he has )"
He made this reuark to Frank Sanger
The two were looking at Birthstone, who
stood tied to a wagon, and with head erect
and white CLEAN in the corner of his eye
was waiting for whoever might come near.
A beaten path which circled behind him
at least ten feet beyond his heels was re-
ligiously followed by every one who
passed.
HSell him to the Mornons when we get
to Salt Lake City," said Frank. '1tn
serve 'em both right
"S'pose / give him to you TO ride?n
"'Thank you for remembering me-"
said Frank, "but don't need him. The
horse / have suits me.
81 know it, Frank, but ies look at the
matter squar' now. You know we can't
be carryin' along idle stock this way.
We've got to put him to some use, and
theirs nobody with the train kin back
that brute unless it's you. He's got the
maxim Of mighty fine saddle animal if
you kin master him."
"Well, Pete, to help you out, III try
him"
50 the next morning Frank, With much