The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-07-24

whereat Bill slipped down on the
other side, and, with clanking spnrs,
made rapid tracks for safety
For time after this no one I'M
dertoolS TO handle the yellow mule,
which lived at ease. toiling not in
the long days march. except to fol-
low Ieisurely the wagon to which
he was tied Pete Ouray became
disguised. AT don't know what to
do with the brute, helsaid. 'sIhate
to give up for useless a young mule
with as fine p'ints as he has"
He made this remark to Frank
Sanger The two were looking at
Birthstone, who stood tied to a
wagon, and with head erect and a
white eleam in the corner of his
eye was waiting for whoever might
eslse neaf A 5e6teu path which
circted behind him at least ten feet
beyond his heels was religiously
followed by every one who passed.
@Sellibim to the Mormons when
we get to Salt Lake City," said
Frank. aIt'll serve EN- both right. /"
as'pose 1 give him to you order
aThanlS you for remembering me, !"
said Frank, 'but don't need him.
The horse [ have suits me-"
81 know it, Frank, but jus 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 a mighty fine
saddle animal if you can master
him"
"Well, Pete, to help you out, I'll.
try him."
So the next morning Frank, with
much care and patience, got sad
die and bride on Birthstone, and ut
a propitious moment vaulted into
the saddle, where he stayed. The
mule bucked viciously, and made Il
long, violent struggle, which he re-
newed at intervals during that and
several succeeding days. Finding
that he could not unseat his plucky
rider, he at length gave up trying,
and settled into his natural gait,
long, easy lope His pace was won
derfully swift and strong, and Pete's
prediction of what Birthstone could
do under the saddle was verified.
Thereafter Frank rode the yellow.
mule regularly, and, in time, they
got on terms of mutual toleration
10 be sure, Frank had still to keep
lookout whenever within reach of
his stecd's toeth and heels, and
Birthstone made it matter of prin-
cipaI always to buck awhile when
first mounted for the day.
But he recognized an equally
constant tendency of his master to
spare at these times neither whip
nor spur. with the variation of a
hickory club. Putting all facts to-
gether, and not being in the least a
''fool MULE" he began to regulate
his conduct so as to secure the
fcwcst of these attentions. Under
wise handling and firm control, the
animal on the whole improved in
docility.
1t was through this chain of events
that Birthstone came to be feeding
by this little party of three who
loitercd at midday under the blue
sky. The saddles and brides lay
where they had been thrown down.
The young men were stretched on
the curly grass enjoying rest after
long riding. The animals grazed
contentedly at the end of their
lariats
There was no sign of danger on
the broad plain. Nevertheless, it
were well for the party to have
borne in mind that the swclls of
the rolling prairie and deep ravines
might conceal the inconveniently
near approach of tho enemy. The
train now a full mile distant, was
all the time drawing away from
them.
One of the reclining men looked
round, jumped and yelled "Iniunsl7
The others came on their feet at
once. They caught up the saddles
and brides, made for their animals,
and began saddIing them in haste.
There we're sound reasons for
doing this, for less than mile away
band of Arapahoe Indians was
coming for the party at full speed
every man urging his pony and
holding his bow in readiness for
use, evidently with the worst in
tentions.
The saddles and brides We're