The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-21
SAVED BY THE MULE.
THE LlEUTENANT'S STORY OF a
FIGHT WITH INDIANS.
Frisky Had Learned by Experience, and
He Knew When There Was Danger-Fla-
herty Took Command, and He and tho
Mulc Paid on an Old Score.

About 90 years ago, when there were
but few railways in tho western states and
territories, the United States mail was car
ricd in saddlebngs on what were called
pnck mules. The riders were youny mon.
carefully solicited for their bravery fcar-
lessncss and activity. Tho animals wero
changed ut stations about 90 milos APART,
so that they were always in good condition
To run If necessity required it, which was
often the case, rs the country was swarm
ing with Mexicans and Indians.
Bentcen, brave young Irishman with
Indian blood in his veins, was chosen for
tho road between Camp ", Arizona, and
II town on tho border of New Mexico. and
1or moro than year escaped tho snarcs
and treacherous traps that were laid for
him. One cold day in February, 1875,
when heavy mist not only made things
chccrless and gloomy, but threw such n
VOL over the earth that it was impossible
to SEQ any object moro than few feet
away, Bcnteon started on his customary
long rido. When or how tho Indians sur
prised him was mover known. His body
was found in the entrance of Sunset mass
by squad of cavalry sent from Camp V.
riddled with bullets and arrows, and near
it lay three dead Indians, showing that he
had sold his life dearly. Tho mule gal
loped into Camp V. two days later and
foil exhausted in front of tho barracks.
with mailbags untouched save by the
blood that had flowed from the bullet hole
III his sidc. He was put in Il comfortable
stall in tho cavalry stables, and, owing to
the sklll oil the veterinary surgeon, in adj
dition to tho best of food and care, he soon
grew strong and fit for light work. During
his sickness tho soldiers became so attached
to him that the post quartcrmastcr made
an effort and succeeded in buying him.
Ono year later ! had tho good fortune 10
DO ordered cast on temporary duty in
Washington. Though had boon in Ari-
IONA but six months, was heartily tired
oi that dcsolatc country and fully deter
mined to let no obstacle delay mo in tho
trip that was taking me to my native city
We left Camp " in an ambulance drawn
by four mules. Soon after starting found
that one of the leaders was tho pnck mule
have mentioned. He had fully recovered,
and had been named Frsky by the soldiers
on account of his exubcrnnt spirits.
In tho ambulance with me was the driv-
or and an old soldier whose name was
flahcrty. Behind us WAS an army wagon
packed with our luggage, rations and for
ngc for tho mules. 1t was guarded by an
escort of eight privates, with sergeant and
corporal. Frisky was rs lively as young
Kitten and seemed mono tho worse for the
hole in his side. On the fourth days
travel, soon after starting, Frsky began
to snlff, prick up his ears and tremblc
flaherty turned toward me, saluted and
said in half apologize voice: "Bcg par
don for throublin ye, lootinint, but think
1t will DO wise to halt bit and take n
look at the country. Frisky scints the
red men, and you nivcr can decaiye him
on Thin"
The driver slackencd tho speed of his
team and looked at mo for an order to
stop. l had been but ono year and half
from West Point had quito m opinion
OF myself and my Judgment, and thought
l knew far more of Indians than old Flah-
crty, who had been in the service nearly 80
years. Tho mule continued to act like a
frightened child, and about noon refused
to go by throwing himself on the ground
regardless of harness and braying in tho
loudest tones. Tho men tried coaxing.
then the whip, but all to no avail clio
spakes the thruth in his way, lootinint,"
said Ilahorty in what seemed to me pat
ronizing tone. "We'd better prepare for
ali attack. Pm an old soldier, sir, and 1
know phwat an Indian surprise is. 1t
names throublc. Pardon me, lootinint,
Tor tryin To give mo commandin off Ger
orders"
felt very foolish and angry when
found myself obeying Flahorty and stop
ping my command for the pranks of u
mulo. 1 ordered tho men to make bar
ricado OF sand and sagebush branches
ana corralled our mules behind it. In
front of them wo put tho ambulance and
wagon for us to hide behind, so as to keen
from the enemy the fact that wo numbered
NJ Ut
warliko attitude for nearly an hour. Then,
Disguised with what thought my folly, L
gave orders for the mules To 10 harnessed
ana our command to move on. The words
wero scarcely out Of my mouth when,
glancing toward the road leading TO our
left, saw u cloud OF sand. turned to
flahcrty, who stood ny my side cying me
reproachfully and sui My. "What's that?"
l asked. cts the red men that Frisky
and said were coming, sir. Ills the be-
ginnin nv the circus"
In fow moments we were surrounded
by about 90 hidcousy painted Indians on
their ponies, galloring around us and Civ
ing US tile full lcnoi,t Of their warlikc
yclls. Fortunately they were not as well
armed rs wo WorO. If they had been, orr
time in this world would havo been short
rs IL was, our men had To fight like tigers
4 ho struggle lasted u little less than an
hour. During that timo | lived through
days. 1t was all so new, strange ana horri-
bic To no. was but % ana very much of
II boy at that. My youth and inexperienced
seemed strangely out Of keeping with my
attempts to give orders To men who had
spent mere than half their lives fighting
Indians. So, after giving IL few, l turned
the plan of battery over to the sergeant
and Flahcrty. Tho latter was in his clc-
mont and showed tho greatest courage,
GOODNESS and clear headcdness l have ever
seen. After every shot he fired no would
call out in slow tones: Faith, an is it mo