The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-21

ment, and then rushed through the wide
open gate into the pen.
Once In the pen interest intensified. To
be caught and battered was the problem.
The pen about 100 feet square was jam
with sleek and shaggy horseflesh. There
were 250 ponies in the pen In the herd
were mares 20 years OF age, some OF
these had seen service on the mainland
and had been loosed for breeding pur-
poses. Again was to be seen the sleek,
short groomed, vicious stallion and the
shaggy colt given birth since the penning
of the previous spring time. These last
were first caught and taken out. If he
was more than 'yearling" and unbrand-
ed, according to custom he became the
property of the catcher If he was less
than "yearling' his ownership was de-
termined by the mare he was prone to
follow. He then was taken aside, thrown
and held to the ground and red hot iron
applied to his hind or forequarters and
branded in the brand of the owner OF its
mother. The mares and colts not for
sale having been taken from the pen"
the catch of others followed. 1t was
great sport. As native recognized his
brand he sought to catch and halter his
pony and 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 fight
for the mastery was awfully exciting
One moment it seemed as if the catcher
had gained the victory, then he was dash
ed or thrown beneath wild, furious
horses hoofs. 1t looked as though
lfeless human form, bruised
beyond recognition and bleeding
from great gashes would be the after
math, but not So Presently sturdy
fisherman would arise from the scramble
and as Others rushed to his aid the frantic
beast would be mastered and battered
Present were ~ few buyers from a
distance, but only about 20 ponies chang
cd ownership, the natives not being anxi-
Gus to part with their pony horseflesh.
Pony 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 $40.
Prices asked ranged from $4,000 to $4,000
per head.
Taking the purchased pony home is in
tcresting. The two stations purchased
by Sheriff Hancock were vicious and
plucky. They were hard to conquer AZ
ter being caught and haltered the drive
to the water and through the water to
the boat 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 IRON his captors, de-
liberate 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 hoisted
in the sharpie 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 OF dt e1JucI emu OIL the
canvas is a ring. To these rings is caught
hook and the hosting process begins
When above he brow of the boat a
swing is made and the pony is let down
into thes hold. That is ALL The
hour of 3 O'Clock p. m has arrived, ex-
citement 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 'head on. The spray is
beautiful and wetting. Much "tacking is
necessary. The straights passed the
Sound is again entered. The night il
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 APP
preached, the nerves of these gives way
and the creek, the nearer and safer way, is
entered. IT is o'clock p. m. Beaufort
is but 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 arc again
at Beaufort, happy indeed and in truth
at our safe return, withal rejoicing over
the days experience. pony penning is
worth while. Try it.
G. j. RIYENBARK.