The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-05-30

except TO follow leiairely the wagon 10
which he was tied. Pete Ouray became
disguised. "I don't know what TO do
with the brute" he said. al hate TO
give up for useless young mule with as
fine p'ints rs he has"
He made this remark to Frank Sanger.
The two were looking at Birthstone, who
stood tied to 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.
"Scll him TO the Mormons when we get
to Salt Lake City said Frank. "lt'll
serve 'cm both right"
"S'posc give him TO you to ridcl"
"Thank you for remembering me-"
said Frank, "but don't rocd him. The
horse have suits me-"
~ know it, Frank, but ics' look at the
matter squar' now. You know we cant
I've 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 II
YOU kin master him"
"Wcll, Pete, to help you out, I'll try
him"
SO the next morning Frank, with much
care and patience, got a saddle and bride
on Birthstone, and at apropitious moment
vaulted into the saddle, where he stayed.
The mule bucked viciously, and made q
long. violent struggle. which he renewed
at intervals during that and several sue
ccpding days Finding that he could
not unsca; his plucky rider, he at length
gave up trying, and settled into his
natural gait, a long, easy lopc. His pace
was wonderfully swift and strong, and
Pctc's prediction OF what Birthstone could
do under q saddle was verified
Thereafter Frank rode the yellow mule
regularly, and, in time, they 90; on terms
oi mutual federation. To be sure, Frank
had still to keep a lookout whenever
within reach OF his stccd's teeth and heels,
and Birthstone made it matter of princi-
. pie always to buck awhile when first
mounted for the day.
But he recognized an equally constant
tendency of his master TO spare az these
times neither whip nor spur, with the
variation of q hickory club. Putting all
facts together, and not being in the least
a fool mule, he began to regulate his
conduct so as 20 secure the fcwost OF
these attentions Under wise handling
and f>n control. the animal on the whole
improved in docility.
IL was through this chain Of cven,. that
Birthstone came to be feeding 10y this
little party OF three who loitercd at mid
day under the blue sky. The saddle
and brides lay where they had beer
thrown down. The young men wer,
stretched on the curly grass enjoying res
after long riding. The animals grace
contcntcdly at the end of their lariats
There was no sign OF danger on tn
broad plain. Nevertheless, it were vel
for the party to have borne in mind tina
the swells Of the rolling prairie and deel
ravines might conceal the inconvenientl.
near approach Of an enemy. The train
now "a full mile distant, was all the tim
drawing away from them.
one of the reclining men looked round
jumped and yelled "lnjuns.' The other
came on 20 their feet ~ once. The
caught up the saddles and brides, mad
for their animals, and began saddlin
them in haste.
There were sound reasons for doin
this. for less than a mile away band {
Arapahoc Indians was coming for N
party NJ full speed. every man urgin
. his pony and holding his bow IN read
mes, for use, evidently with the worst il
toutiouS.
The saddle, and brides were quick
h adjusted, aud the men aStride their Steed
Tho horses filed with instructive terri
ut the sight and scent OF the Indian
, lcapci a, the touch Of their riders ~
were soon galiopins after the train at
A., pace riyalng tnat of the Arapahoes.
Not So the mule lie ic; well aft
o. rest and feeding, and was in q mood f
% tussl, with his rider. Perhaps
1 thought he had been good uver-iong, NJ
!. wanted a change. At all events rs h
rider headed him toward the recediI
d train he only braced back with his for
. legs. lowered MS head at d similar angl
. and stood stock still, with al ii
a movahiity that gave little hope Of
10 early start,
g Frank shouted and spurred the mu
only set back the harder. he prick
~ him with his hunting knife, and he b
ID gan to buck When Birthstone set o
q 10 buck, time was no object to him.
is his rider did not urge the point. II
.u situation was interesting and very critics
,s There wer, the Indians coming on Ii
20 the wind aud already beginning 10 wild
? their line fau-shaped, to cut of the ha
is less rider His two companions were
third Of the way to the train and safet
d and. barring untoward accident, sure
"a nah, IT, And he, held 20 tine spot 10y
se baking mule whose inaptitude 10 chan
" it, mind he knew 10y hard experienC
'u lie had no time 10 apply his usual arg
lt mrnts
ls The Indians were So near that he COZ
,ea the paint on their faces and hear til
o. wells The wind brought down 10 h
~ their characteristic odor Brimsto
lc smellcd and did not at all like them ;
e. even showed % symptom or two Of M