Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-07-10

Calleu pack-muleS. Inc riders We're
young men, carefully selected for
their bravery, fearlessness, and activ-
ity. The animals were changed at
stations about twenty five miles apart,
so that they were always in good con-
dition to run if necessity required it,
which was often the case, as the coun-
try was swarming with Mexicans and
Indians.
Bentesn, brave young Irishman
with Indian blood in his veins, was
chosen for the road between Camp
V, Arizona, and town on the
border of New Mexico, and for more
than year escaped the snarcs and
treacherous traps that were laid for
him. One cold day in February, 1875,
when heavy mist not only made
things cheerless and gloomy, but threw
such veil over the earth that it was
impossible to see any object more than
few feet away, Benteen started on
his customary long ride. When or
how the Indians surprised him was
never know. His body was found at
the entrance of Sunset Pass by squad
of cavalry sent from Camp V, rid
died with bullets and arrows, and near
it lay three dead Indians, showing he
had sold his life dearly. The mule
galloped into Camp v two days
later, aud fell exhausted in front of
the barracks, with the mail-bags um-
touched save by the blood that had
flowed from bullet-hole in his side.
He was put in comfortable stall in
the cavalry stables, and owing to the
skill of the veterinary surgeon, in ad-
dition TO the best of food and care, he
soon grew strong and fit for light work.
During his sickness the soldiers be-
came SO attached to him that the Post
Quartermaster made an effort, and sue
ceeded in buying him.
One year later 1 had The good for
time to be ordered East ON temporary
duty in Washington. Though 1 had
been in Arizona but six months I was
heartily tired of that desolate country,
and fully determined to let no obstacle
delay me in the trip that was taking
me to my native city. We left Camp
v in an ambulance drawn by four
mules. Soon after starting found
that one of the leaders was the pack
mule have mentioned. He had fully
recovered, and had been named Frisky
by the soldiers on account of his exu-
berant spirits.
In the ambulance with me was the
driver and an old soldier whose name
was Flaherty. Behind us was an army
wagon packed with our luggage,
rations, and forage for the mules. 1t
was guarded by an escort of eight pri-
Yates, with Sergeant and Corporal.
Frisky was as lively ss young kitten
and seemed none the worse for the
hole in his side. On our fourth days
travel, soon after starting, Frisky
began to sniff, prick up his ears, and
tremble. Flaherty turned toward me,
saluted, and said, in half-apologctic
voice: "Beg pardon for throublin' We,
Lootinint, but think it will be wise
to halt bit and take look at the
counthry; Frisky scints the red fhen,
and you niver can decaive him ON
thin"
The driver slackened the speed of
his team and looked at me for an order
to stop. 1 had been but one year and
half from Wes. Point; l had quite an
opinion of myself and my judgment,
and thought knew far more of In
dians than old Flatherty, who had been
in the service nearly thirty years. The
mule continued to act like a frightened
child, and about noon refused to go by
throwing himself on the ground re-
gardless of harness. and braying in the
loudest tones. The men tried coaxing,
then the whip, but all to no avail. "He
spakes the thruth in his way, Lootin-
int" said Flaherty, in what seemed to
me patronizing tone. "We'd better
prepare for au attack; I'm an old
soldier, sir, and I know phwat an In
dian surprise is. 1t names trouble
Pardon me, Lootinint, for tryin' to
give me commandin' officer orders"
Ifelt very foolish aud angry when I
found myself obeying Flaherty and
stopping my command for the pranks
of mule. l ordered the men to make
a barricade of sand and sage brush
branches, and corralled our mules be-
hind it; in front of them we put the
ambulance aud wagon for us to hide
behind, SO as to keep from the enemy
the fact that we numbered only fifteen
all told. We remained in this warlike
attitude for nearly an hour; then dis