The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-25
The Morgan Horses
The Story Of a Vermont Sugar
Camp.
BY r. Elm0re hin.

and girls, are going down
to Mr.. JOhuson's sugar
camp tonight TO the sugar
lug On. and we want you 10 go with
us
Thus spoke Jim Watson. a hand
some, sturdy Green Mountain boy.
one bright afternoon in March, many
years ago
I'm with you. At what time shall
we startf" asked Simon Jackson. who
was always ready and willing TO Join
10 any kind Of sport.
About seven O'Clock That's as
soon as we can get everything ready.
We are going TO take fathers two
horses. and Joe Blaisdell Is 10 have
their new hay-rack put on a pair Of
sleds."
''Ail right said Jackson. "l'll meet
you at Joe's house suppose we shall
start from there2"
''fes. and you'd better bring your
gun along. There has been some talk
about Indians being seen IN the woods
lately, and although we don't antici-
pate any trouble, it's just as well to be
prepared"
The distance from the little town Of
c. 10 the sugar camp was some
twelve miles. At seven O'Clock the
redpalnted hay-rack, with It's load Of
Young men and maidens. drawn by
two of the best horses In the State.
left the house Of Farmer Blaisdell
amid a jingle Of bells and shouts Of
merriment.
The horses were driven hy Simon
Jackson. noted for his courage. skin
and prodigious strength. II was about
nine o'clock when he brought his team
up 10 the camp situated on the edge
OF a small clearing IN one Of the larg-
est rock maple orchards in that re-
giOn. Old man Johnson. with his wife.
Betsey. and two grown-up boys. were
waiting In front Of the large open fire
20 give them welcome, and in short
time the horses were sheltered and the
boisterOus party went inside the camp.
when the fun Of the evening began,
Many Of our readers. we doubt not
have visited the sugar camps OF Yer
mont and other States where the rock
maple thrives. and watched the sugar
makers as they dipped the syrup from
the large shallow iron pans and
poured 1t into moulds from which they
shortly took cakes of sugar OF all sizes
and shapes In the primitive days Of
which we speak. the early days Of the
nineteenth century. the appliances
were meagre. indeed. The sugar and
syrup. however. were just as sweet
and palatable as now. and the fun as
great But all things must have an
end. and at about eleven o'clock the
Young folk all climbed aboard the
roomy hay-rack and wrapped IN wolf
skins and blankets with each particu-
lar swain In close proximity 10 his
chosen sweetheart. they started home
ward
Nearly half the distance had been
traversed without incident when the
rapid tramp Of horses hoofs told the
marty that they were followed The
road was as straight as the track OF a
bullet. and as Jackson glanced behind
him. quarter OF a mile away, dark
patch on the white ground was easily
discernible. and his sharp eyes told
him that a band Of Indian warriors
were approaching.
no use. boys. 70 try TO fight that
crowd. they are four to one. our only
hope is in the speed Of the horses he
said. But have your weapons ready.
and pick on the FIRST Indian who comes
within gunshot" Then he grasped
the reins more firmly and the race for
life began.
Now the speed and endurance Of the
old Morgan stock would have an op.
portunity to show itself How those
horses rani They seemed 10 know that
youthful hearts were urging them to
DO their best And Jackson's calm
tones. as De encouraged them On. made
them feel that n firm hand guided them
The men of the party crouched in the
rear end Of the rack. rifles extended
watching with eagle eyes the ap-
WfNN|UaHA NAHANHHf ANNNW ND aHAN'AlA
their helpless women tothe last breath
MAKE every shot count boys said
sime. fac heavy load is killing the
horses at this pace. and we may have
Is give 'em a fight yet
IAN right answered Jim Watson
rheerilr. I'VE are good Tor eight oi
the red dogs. anyway keen The
horses on the jump till they drop and
then wen fight &c out"
The Young women thus far had
shown remarkable courage. that Kind
~ pluck and heroism which thell
mothers. twenty years before. had ex
hfbIfed when their husbands and
brothers were fighting Cor independ-
.zs.. end following the intrepid Ethan
Allen. who Ted the Green Mountain
tors in many a daring charge in vic
larr. Al the ominous Words 81 Wat
saa their cheeks took on e shade Of