The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-03-16

=, Would Lend the Clnn-The Anffcs
of a Herd With survey Expedi-
tion Daring a Total Solar Eclipse.
An old member OF the Hayden geo.
logical survey was recalling some OF
his days ON the trail. He said:
1t was then that learned the ingen-
lous tricks Of the mule, one of the most
intelligent animals living. 1t was in
1878 that ! joined the survey. All con
nected with the expedition were or.
dered to round up at the Davis ranch,
twelve miles from Cheyenne, the home
ranch Of one of those cattle companies
whose herds then ranged from British
Columbia to Texas. When arrived
found scene that resembled the camp
ing place of an army.
"A little way of on the prairie was
being herded the enormous bunch of
mules that was to transport the expedl-
ton. The packers We're occupied In
agreeing upon and cutting out the
mules to be assigned to each division.
They would ride first one and then an
other TO determine the very best sad
dlers, and these they would calmly an
propriate for themselves. The packer
OF those days was very important
personage, and the Hayden survey en-.
gagged only those of the highest rank.
The mules employed We're the most de
sirable for packing purposes, the Span,
ish. mule, weighing 700 or 800 pounds,
sure footed, strong and good travellers.
They We're very Intelligent and after
short time became extremely cunning
In avoiding the duties required.
First, as the regular hour for sad
ding approached they would steal
away and hide behind some rock or
clump Of bushes. As preparations We're
made for cinching, they would watch
cautiously, and at the first tug of the
cinch they would bow their sides in
the direction of the operator, at the
same time inhaling to the fullest ex.
tent. An old, mule that had become
really scientific SApe business viii
keep an inexperienced packer busy
cinchlng and recinching for two hours
and then only TO find that the operation
must be repeated in the first half mile
after leaving camp. The only way to
thwart his purpose is to wait a few
moments till the mule is off his guard
and then quickly gather in the slack or
for the on packer to turn him sud
denly TO the left, destroying his atti-
tude Of resistance.
Accompanying each train Of mules
is always a horse of some description
preferably white or gray, wearing
COW bell and commonly designated as
the bell mare The mules will follow
this animal as a colt follows its moth
er and in cases of peril or distress on
its part will manifest the anguish of a
child over its parents.
Once on the survey in crossing Il
marshy drain the bell mare became
| mired A mule near her, discovering 1t,
Immediately gave the alarm. Instantly
the whole train. with the packs on their
backs, rushed to the rescue. They hud,
died about the bell mare in circle
and prayed until the very hills re.
echoed with their lamentations. The
packers in their attempts to extricate
the mare We're nearly trampied under
foot by the excited mules, which in their
efforts 20 assist rapidly became mired
| themselves. 1t required the united eff.
forts of the whole Hayden survey to
hold them back until the packers could
liberate the mare
when turned loose to Craze only the
bell mare needs to be hobbled or pick.
eted, thus giving the mules entire free
dom to range for food. 1t is next to Inn
possible to stampede or drive them
away. Their devotion to the bell mare
was touchingly shown Mt the time Of
the total eclipse OF the sun in the sum.
mer OF 1878.
I'VE were in northern Wyoming and
had made forced march to get to the
region OF totallty, which was 43 north
and 80 west. We had just reached the
point when the eclipse began. Only the
scientists whose business 1t was watch
ed 1t, however. The rest Of us were
busy watching the mules. They were
quietly grazing near camp when a sick
~ yellow light began to spread over the
landscape. at this one and another
would raise his head and gaze inquir-
ingly at the mule next to him to ascer-
tain II he were up to any mischief.
Finding no cause of the phenomenon
there, they all with one accord turned
ana made survey Of each other up
ana down the line to discover the prac-
.ical Joker. Unable to spot him, they
turned In concert while the light grew
more CHASTITY and made a prolonged
survey lev, OF the horizon.
The hills ana mesas now became
covered with mottled light-blue.
green and yeilow-llke snakes skin
This was more than they could stand
With simultaneous impulse they
turned to the old bell marc and bud-
died around her for protection. The
mottled light now passed owoy and
was succeeded by darkness. This wac
all right. They understood dartness
One by one they turned from the boIl
mare and by successive and rcyrlgr
thumps announced that night hoa
come, and they had thrown Themselves