Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-05-03
A SUPERIOR MULE.
tUNT HAS TRAITS THAT WIN PRIV
ILIGES FOR HIM.

Puts Him at His Best-His Terrible Bat
tie With the White Wolf
Runt is mule His career has been
checkered, and his life has been full Of ups
and downs. He is IS years old. lie has
long since passed the time in life when
even mule has a fighting show to DO
beautiful
Yet Runt is famous, and money cannot
buy him. He was born in Mississippi and
when 3 years old joined the regular army,
going to Fort Bliss, Tex. He served five
years there and then was transferred to
Fort Stanton, n. NJ. When the Thirteenth
regiment moved to Fort Sill, Runt went
with them. He served faithfully until
three years ago, when he was retired as a
veteran. The first hard service in the field
that Runt met was in 1884. In the first
skirnlish he was wounded by his friends,
1t was in August. Runt was one of eight
mules hauling a wagon of government
train from Carthage, n. NJ, to Fort Stan
ton. Two companies of the Thirteenth
guarded tho wagons Twenty miles out Of
Carthage the Apaches attacked the train.
AS the Apachcs circled about, yelling and
firing, Runt got nervous. Finally with a
kick and a squcal he broke away from his
harness and galloped straight toward the
Apachcs. The Indians at once bore down
on Runt to capture him. The soldiers
made ready TO fire.
Don't shootp' yelled one of them.
IL kill Runt."
"Blazo awayW said Sergeant Ray.
"He's got no business there"
The soldiers fired. The Indians scatter
ed, leaving Runt alone. Runt hesitatcd,
and n second volley poured forth. One of
the bullets struck his tail. With snort
he lowered his head, planted his fore feet
firmly and began to kick He kicked I'M
til he fell over exhausted. The tcamsters
then caught him and tied him to one of
the wagons. But his first campaign ruined
Runt as soldier. No matter where he
was after that, whether in harness, at the
feed trough or in pasture, if a gun was
fired Runt would lower his head and kick
until he fell exhausted.
Runt lost his ear II months ago. The
companies at Fort Sill live far better than
any others in the army. Beef Is cheap and
game is abundant. Each company has u
party of hunters continually in the field
These parties hunt in the Wichita noun
tains. White wolves are more plentiful
in those hills than perhaps in any other
part of America. In fact, elsewhere white
wolves are seldom seen. The white WOLF
so called is Of gray color, much larger
than the common wolf and far fCrccr
Hunters dread him equally with the noun
tain panther.
Runt, of his own accord, joined one of
the hunting parties going up into the
mountains. Stove Shipper, the most noted
bear hunter in the Oklahoma country,
was one Of the hunters. The men set
their camp about % miles from Fort Sill,
on the Signal range. Panthcrs and wolves
were so plentiful at night that the men
took turns keeping watch. The horses and
mules were piCketGd within the circle.
Runt alone refused to submit to the hal
ter. He would back away and threaten to
snap the picket line until he was freed
At night he would roam about in the fires
light, occasionally wandering out into the
darkness, but returning very shortly.
The fourth day before Christmas two
wagons loaded with game were sent to
Fort Sill. In the evening, after they haG
gone, Shipper brought in II big buck. 1t
was decided to have buck roast. \ mon
stor spit was rugged up, a big fire was
kindlcd, and soon the odor Of juicy meat,
properly cooked, filled the woods. The
panthcrs the wolves and the coyotes hur-
ricd toward it. AS the time passed a cir
Gle of wild beasts crOuchCd on their
Launches or stole softly about on the edge
of light, bowling yelping and barking.
Old Rant was in great spirits. He cavort-
ed about, threatening several times to
kick the buck into the fire. AS the rich
odor floated forth tho beasts providing
about became boldor, and occasionally
coyote would sneak into the open space,
only to retreat before brand of burning
wood a big white wolf, holder than his
fellows, twice sprang into the circle and
snapped once at one of the horses and once
at the skin of the buck Runt was walk
ing slowly to and fro in tho shadow far
from the fire Suddenly there wqs a howl,
a snort, and the white wolf sprang through
the air and lit on Runt's shoulders. The
mule trembled and squealcd. He backed
and shivered and shook, but he did not
kick. The white wolf sunk his teeth deep
into Runt's neck and used his claws, tear
ing the mules flesh AS the wolf Clawed
Runt seemed to become powerless, proba-
bly, through fear.
The hunters crowded around trying to
get a shot at the wolf. Finally Shipper
seized big burning stick and thrust it
over Runts neck into the VOLTS face.
With snarl the wolf opened his jaws. He
chung fast with his claws, however. As
Shipper thrust forward the burning wood
a second time the wolf shifted his position
until he crouched on Runt's back. This
gave Tom McGrath an opportunity to
shoot him.
"Bangp went McGrath's rifle. The
bullet missed. The wolf was untouched.
But with the report great change took
place in Runt. From frightened, help
less animal he was transformed into
fighting kicking mule. He bucked and
kicked and rolled Tho hunters were
forced to beat a retreat to the wagons.
From there they watched the fight. The
wolf held fast, and as Runt rolled, the
wolf would creep quickly round or loosen
his grasp until the mule rose again.
At length Runt in rolling worked the
wolf back to his hind quarters. Quick as
flash the old mule sprang to his feet,
lowered his bead and let fly his heels He
caught the wolf full in the side. The i'm
pact of the blow was like the crack of a
black snake whip. The clutch of the wolf
gave way, and he sailed through the air,
landing in the heart of the fire. He sprang
away, but Shipper shot him before he
reached the outer darkness. The distance
bo yroc lyicl-nd yunc Ynnnsurnd Inv tho mon