The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-06-30

ment. and then rushed through the Ma
open gate into the pen.
once in the pen interest intensified. To
d. caught and battered was the problem
The pen about 100 feet square was a jam
with sleek and shaggy horsetiesh. There
uere 80 ponies in the pen In the herd
s ere mares 20 years OF age, some OF
these had seen service on the mainland
ana had been loo>ed Tor breeding pur-
poses. Again was To be seen the sleek,
short groomed. vicious stallion and the
shaggy colt given birth since the pennIns
Of the previous spring time. These last
we're first caught and taken out II he
VA. more than q 'yearhng and unbrand-
ID. according TO custom ne became the
property OF the catcher. II he was less
than a .'yearling' hjS ownership was de
termined by the mare he was prone 70
follow. He then was taken aside. thrown
and held to the ground AMI red not iron
applied to his hind or forequarters and
branded in the brand Of the owner OF rs
mother. The mares and colts not Tor
sale having been taken from the pen"
the catch Of others followed. II was
great sport. As a native recognized ms
brand he sought to catch and halter hIS
rcnv ana the chase and fight was on. The
contest was furious, dangerous. The
coward had no hand in the fray. Once
seen the catcher closed his eyes TO all dan
ger and sought the wind OF his prey and
the fun began. As leap after leap and
plunge after plunge was beheld the tight
for the mastery was awtully exciting.
one moment it seemed as il the catcher
had gained the victory, then he was dash
"a or thrown beneath Wild, furious
horses hoofs. 1t looked as though
a ifeless human form, bruised
beyond recognition and bleeding
from great gashes would be the after
math, but not so. Presently a sturdy
fisherman would arise from the scramble
and as others rushed to his aid the frantic
beast would be mastered and haltered.
Present We're % few buyers from a
distance, but only about % ponies chang
el ownership. the natives not beng anxl-
Gus to part with their pony horseflesh.
Fony after pony was turned loose and
given his freedom OF the bank ranges. OF
our party Sheriff Hancock purchased two
mares and two stations. These were
beautiful animals. The four brought $140.
Prices asked ranged from $4,000 TO $4,000
per head.
Taking the purchased pony home is IN
teresting. The two stations purchased
by Sheriff Hancock were vicious and
piucky. They We're hard to conquer. At
ter being caught and haltered the drive
to the water and through the water to
the boa was exciting. Frequently the
Little animal would rear, leap, plunge and
paw to break the halter IN his effort at
freedom. To approach near him
was at the risk of ones life. He
could assert himself with great force and
lightning like rapidity. Finally, when the
coax and drive through the water to
the boat was made, IN a frantic effort to
obtain freedom from his captors. de
Hberate suicide was attempted. By heroic
effort on the part of several of our party
purposed death on the part Of the ponies
was averted and the four safely ho}Sted
in the sharpe and taken to Beaufort.
Getting aboard ship is simple but also Of
interest. A windlass is provided. A
sheet of stout canvas is brought under
the belly Of the pony and around the
body and across the back. At the top
of this canvas or at either end Of the
canvas is q ring. To these rings is caught
q hook and the hosting process begins.
When above he brow Of the boat a
swing is made and the pony is let down
into the hold. That is all. The
hour of 8 O'Clock p. M. has arrived, ex-
element over appetite asserts itself, and
lunch spread, and sail hoisted. the salts
flying Of the inner man is begun and the
sail back to Beaufort, our starting point,
IS begun. On the return trip the wind is
not fair" it Is 'thead on The spray is
beautiful and wetting. Much "tacking' is
necessary. The straights passed the
Sound is again entered. The night is
dark. AS the Inlet is reached the sea
grows heavier. Col. Granger and the
writer sit astern and sing stirring revival
songs. Others Of the party snooze away
in the cabin. The songsters implore boat
men to stem the Inlet. AS Beaufort is ap-
preached, the nerves of these gives way
and the creek, the nearer and safer way, is
entered. 1t is 9 O'Clock p. M. Beaufort
is but 8 miles distant and we are about to
run aground. Flood tide is awaited
Flood tide comes and at 2 O'Clock on the
morning of the 21st of May we are again
at Beaufort, happy indeed and in truth
at our safe return. withal rejoicing over
the days experience. A pony penning IS
worth while. Try it.
c. j. RIVENBARK.