The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-21
A SagaciOns Mule.

About twenty years ago. when there
were but few railways in the western
states and territories. the United States
mail was carried In saddle-bags on
what were called paek-mules. The
riders we're young men. carefully So
lected for their bravery. fearlessness.
and activity The animals were
changed At stations about twenty-five
miles apart, so that they were always
in good condition 70 run If necessity re-
quired II, which was often the case, as
the country was swarming with Mexi-
cans and Indians.
Benieen, a brave young Irlshman
with Indian blood In his veins, was
chosen for the road between GIMP
w.. Arizona, and 4 town on the
border OF New Mexico. and for more
than q year escaped the snares and
treacherous traps that were laid for
him One cold day IN February 1875,
when a heavy mist moi only made
fhings cheerless and gloomy. but threw
such a ven over the earth that Il was
impossible 10 see any object more than
a few feet away. Benteen started on
MS customary long ride When or
bow the Indians surprised him Was
never known Ills body was found at
the entrance OF Sunset Pass by a squad
Of cavalry sent from Camp w.. rid
died with bullets and arrows, and near
il lay three dead Indians. showing he
bad sold his life dearly. The mule gall
lopcd into Camp N-- two days later
and fell exhausted Ia front OF the bar
racks. with the maii-bags untouched
save BY the blood that had flowed from
= bulleg-hole In bis side lie was put
10 a comfortable stall In the cavalry
stables. and owing TO the skill o. the
Veterinary surgeon. In addition 70 the
best og food and care. he soon grew
strong and flf for light work During
his sickness the soldiers became 50 al
tached To hlm that the post quarter
master 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 IL Arizona but six months I was
heartily tired OF that desolate country.
and fully determined 10 let no obstacle
DELAY me il the trip thar was taking
me 10 my native city. We left Camp
w. In an ambulance drawn by four
mules. Soon after starting ! found
that one Of the leaders was the pack
rule have mentioned lie had fully
recovered. and had been named Frisky
by the soldiers on accoant ~ bis ex-
nbersnf splrita
In the ambulance with me was the
driver and an old soldier whose name
was Flaherty. Behind rs was an army
wagon packed with our luggage. ra-
tions. and forage FOR the mules. II vas
guarded by an escort Of eight prlvates
with sergeant and corporal Frisky
was as lively A. a young kitten and
seemed none the worse for the hole In
his side. On our fourth days travel,
sooa after starting. Frlsky began 70
sniff. prick up his ears. and ;rembie.
Flaherty turned towards me. saluted
and said II a half-apologetic voice.
-Beg pardon for throublin' ye. Loo
tinint but / think ii win be wise 70
halt bit and take look at the coun-
thry: Frisky scints the red men, and
sou niver can decalve him on thin"
The driver slackened the speed Of his
team and looked At me for an order 10
stop. had been but one year and a
half from West Point: had quite an
opinion Of myself and my Judgment
and / thought I knew Tar more Of In
dians than old Flahery, who had been
in the service nearly thirty years. The
mule continued 10 act ike a frighten-
ed child. and about noon refused 90 go
hy throwing himself on the ground re-
gardless Of harness. and hraying In the
londest tones The men tried coaxlng,
then the whip. but all 70 no avail "He
rpakes the thfuih in his way Loo
tinint. said Fiaherty. iu what seemed
to me d patronizing tone. We'd bet
ter prepare for an attack I'm an old
soldier. sir. and know phat an Indian
surprise is. II names shrouble. Par
don me. I.ootinint. for tryin' TO give me
commandin' On'cer orders"
felt very foolish and angry when
found myself obeying Flahsrty and
stoppin. my command for the pranks
of a mule. ordered the men 10 make
3 barricade Of sand and sage-bush
branches. and corralled our mules be-
hind Ii. in front of them We put the
ambulance and wagon for us 20 hide
behind. SO as 70 keep from the enemy
the fact that VS. numbered only fifteen
ain told. We remained in this warlike
attitude for nearly an hour; then. dis
Kusted with what / thought my folly
/ gave orders Tor the mules % be har-
messed and our command lo move on.
The words were scarcely oul of nay
mouth when. glancing towards The
road leading 70 our left. saw q cloud