The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-02-25
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L him." said Captain Ira, as he
stroked the velvet-smooth muzzle OF
Tommy Radnor's new pony. Mean
while, the other nine boys of the club
had gathered around and were admir-
Ing the sleek little fellow. All sorts
Of names were suggested. Finally.
Bobby Treat asked the captain if he
didn't know of some famous pony aft.
er which Tommy's might be named.
"Yes, several Of them" replied Cap
tain Ira. There was one in particu-
lar.
They waited for the captain to start.
But he stayed silent for a time.
Reaching out for clover blossom he
pulled It from the stem. Then he
plucked out thumb and finger full
Of the little pink petals and sucked
the honey-sap from the base of them.
There was far-away look in his eyes.
'Boys," he said at last, "Tm about
to tell you of famous pony. But he
was a pony who never had his name
In any printed story and he was not
cited in any dispatch book. His fame
now lives as happy memory in the
hearts Of several thousand men. It
Is really a story of half dozen parts.
I'll only tell you of the one which I
know best, today. Some other time,
If you like, I'll tell the others.
ut was while the big war was going
on. was In command Of an old P. &
o. liner, which had been converted
into horse transport. Four trips we
had made and. despite all the talk
about submarines, our most exciting
moments had been when a horse had
broken loose now and then and started
ruction between decks.
''The fifth trip across began as I'M
eventually as the others. The only
out of the ordinary thing had been the
antics Of small bit Of horseflesh
which the hostlers had nicknamed on
account Of his size, Minute
"How Minute ever won past the in
spectors, I can't say. He was under
size something like five hundred
pounds. The shoe he wore was as
dainty as woman's wedding ring. In
to the average. After he'd
known you for two minutes, he'd be
nuzzling through your pockets for su-
gar Jumps. And If you let him loose,
he'd follow anywhere. One calm day
sighted him strolling along the for
ward hurricane deck, apparently with
his mind made up to mount the bridge
and visit me as soon as he could find
he way up.
From then on he was the ship pet
had a stall rugged out for him in an
unused runway between two cabins
Things went so far that the ships
ailor fashioned him set of four soft
ubber boots, so that he could walk
he deck without slipping.
"Then the unexpected happened
)ut Of clear sea, one night, a sub
marine popped its periscope. Next
hing, torpedo crashed into us. We
tarted to sink. 1 had the lifeboats
owered. Our wireless sputtered
ontinuous s. o. s. for help. In about
weaty minutes my ship slid gently
ito the sea. almost as though she wsre
lad Of the long rest which awaited her.
1T was very dark night and. at
~ command, the boats had rowed
way as fast as they could from the
hips side, so they would not be en-
ulfed with her when she went under
nus, after the ship had gone down.
found myself floating in the chilly
ga, hampered from active swimming
y my clothing, and with little hope
being able to keep on top until l
lould be picked up.
There was a snort in the water be-
de me- 1t was Minute, as | found
1t later Then, with thankful heart
seized hold Of his name. He was
rong swimmer and bore me easily
It'll one Of the boats found us.
as hauled aboard.
"Since the boat was a good-sized
lie and could easily bear his addi-
onal weight, it was decided to try
Id save Minute also. I'll never forget
wv patient he was, just as though
knew the danger he was in and
at we would have trouble saving him.
"A makeshift tackle was at last put
gether and he was dragged aboard
'u would have laughed TO see how
looked with his feet waving free
the air and laced fast on them the
gainly rubber boots which the tailor
d made for him.
Later we were picked up and
mute was delivered to the army In
ance."
After the captain quit speaking
'mmy thought bit. Then he said:
70 you mind II 1 call my pony
inute'?"
mo, indeed" replied Captain Ira.
nd some other time I'll tell you
IRE about Minute and his exploits
France.