Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-19
Che Story Teller.
A SAGACIOUS MULE.
HE WIS THE HERO OF THE HOUR.

OQC 1eW railways Ill Gue "cSlcih oeo'So
and territories, the United States mail
was carried in saddle-bags on what
were called pack The riders
were young men, carefully selected for
their bravery, fearlessness, and activi-
ty. The animals were changed at sta
tions about 25 miles apart, so that they
were always in good condition to run
if necessity required it, which was Of
ten the case, as the country was swarm
| ing with Mexicans and Indians, writes
"a. V. G. ST." in Our Animal Friends.
Benteen, brave young 1rishman
with Indian blood in his veins, was
chosen for the road between Camp ",
Arizona, and a town on the border OF
New Mexico, and for more than year
escaped the snares and treacherous
traps that were laid for him. One cold
day in February, 1875, when heavy
mist not only made things cherries
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 and how the Indians sur
prised him was never known. His
body was found at the entrance OF
Sunset Pass by squad of cavalry sent
from Camp ", riddled with bullets
and arrows, and near it lay three dead
Indians, showing he had sold has life
dearly.
The mule galloped into Camp V.
two days later, and fell exhausted in
front of the barracks, with the mail
bags untouched save by the blood that
had flowed from a bullet-hole in his
side. He was put in a comfortable
stall in the cavalry stables, and owing
to the skill of the veterinary surgeon,
in addition to the best of food and care,
he soon grew strong and fit for light
work. During his sickness the soldiers
became 80 attached to him that the
post quartermaster made an effort, and
succeeded in buying him:
One year later had the good for
tune to be ordered east on temporary
duty in Washington. Though had
been in Arizona but six months, l was
heartily tired of that desolate country,
and fully determined to let no obsta-
Gle delay me in the trip that was TAX
ing me to my native city. We left
Camp V in an ambulance drawn by
four mules. Soon after starting l
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 exuberant 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, ra-
tions and forage for the mules. 1t was
guarded by an escort of eight privates,
with sergeant and corporal. Frisky
was as lively as a 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-apologetic voice:
"Beg pardon for throublin' ye, Loo.
tinint, but think it will be wise to
halt bit and take a look at the coun-
thry Frisky scints the red men, and
you niver can decaive him on thim."
The driver slackened the speed of
his team and looked at me for an or
der to stop. 1 bad been but one year
and half from West Point; had
quite an opinion of myself and my
Judgment, and I thought knew far
more of Indians than old Flaherty,
who had been in the service nearly 30
years. The mule continued to act like
frightened child, and about noon re-
fused to 90 by throwing himself on the
ground regardless of harness, and
braying in the loudest tones. The
men tried coaxing, then the whip, but
all to no avail.
"He spakes the truth in his way,
Lootinint," said Flaherty, in what
seemed to me patrouizing tone.
"We'd better prepare for an attack !;
I'm an old soldier, sir, and l know
phwat an Indian surprise is. 1t names
lhrouble. Pardon me, Lootinint, for
tryin' to give me commandin' of Ger
orders"
felt very foolish and angry when l
found myself obeying Flaherty and
stopping my command for the pranks
of mule. / ordered the men to make
barricade of sand and sagebush
branches, and corralled our mules be-
hiud it; in front of them we put the
ambulance and wagon for us to hide
behind, SO as to keep from the enemy
the fact that we numbered only Is all
told. We remained in this warlike
attitude for nearly an hour; then, dis
gusted with what thought my folly,
| gave orders for the mules to be har.
messed and our command to move on.
The words were scarcely out of my
mouth when, glancing towards the
road leading to our left, | saw cloud
of sand. 1 turned to Flaherty, who
stood by my side eying me reproach-
fully and sullenly.
whats that? ?" l asked.
"It's the red men that Frisky and
said were coming, sir. "Tis the begin
MIN av the circus"