Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1891 — CAPTURING WILD PONIES. [ARTICLE]

CAPTURING WILD PONIES.

The Elusive Mustang Run Down by Fleet-footed Indians. There are still a few bands of mustangs or wild ponies roaming the Texas staked plains. They are now made prize and captured by men who covet them. There are several methods in vogue for capturing wild ponies. If the hunters are ambitious and looking toward taking tho whole band they go it at with preparation and in a business way. These bands of ponies are not wanderers, going up and down the weastern earth, but possess a residence and cling to a locality, so that their whearabouts once known to the hunter is certain of finding them at any time thereafter. This gives the mustangers ample chance for preparation. > - The necessities of a mustang hunt conducted on wholesale lines include a corral, a grub wagon and team, and three hunters. When all is ready the hunters arrange themselves in as many watches of eight hours each, one drives the wagon, the seoond sleeps in the wagon, and the third “walk” the mustangs. “Walking” mustangs is simple. 1 The theory of the hunt is to keep the wild ponies on the walk, night and day, without food or water, until they are exhausted. As far as may be, says a writer in the Kansas City Star, they arc walked in a circle so as to be near the corral intended as the final goal of the go-as-you-please match against nature. The process is this: The hunters with their wagons drive in sight of the mustangs and the first man takes their trail on foot. For eight hours he walks after them, keeping them constantly on the move, and as much as possible from feeding and from water. This last is not so difficult in a land where watering places are exceptional. In the beginning the foolish mustang kicks up his joyous heels and curvets about, tossing his manein contempt of this solitary, slow pursuit, but as the hours wear on the dusty plodder, sticking like a bad habit, is not to be shaken off, the fugitives become less gay. They sober down to a walk and are not so prone to light and frivolous exercise. After eight hours the wagon drives up and No. 2 of the hunters begins his eight-hour walk. At its close No. 3 assumes the pursuit, and so, changing everj eight hours, the weary inarch keeps on. AU that day anil night the ponies are kept moving. All the next day and night sees the programme repeated, and the work continues until,} without having had food or water, without having closed their eyes or rested their tired legs since the hunt began, thq. starved and sleepy mustangs totter along, almost as lame as house dogs and fairly dead on their feet. When reduced to this condition, sapped of that gay, brisk . nature which distinguished them at first, the hunters turn their drooping, drowsy heads to the oorxal and drive them"in as unresisting as sheep. ’ “Creasing” requires skill with the rifle and an accurate knowledge of horse anatomy. ? The bullet is r , ade to graze the spinal column well up on the neck. The lead must be placed just so or loss results. If it strikes toolow the spine Is broken and the pony is a thing of the past; if too nigh, it results in nothing but a wounded pony flying with frightened feet; but if placed aright the shot simply stuns for a few minutes. The pony drops us if struck in the head with a maul and will remain unconscious for about two minutes—time enough to secure it. Indians, afoot and desirous of a mount, have been known to literally and actually ran a wild pony down. They take one by sheer endurance.

There is,.of course, as great a difference in stamina and staying powers among Indians as among the whites; but almost atty camp will furnish one or two, or even three, bronze athletes who are good and game at a day’s running, to run a hundred miles after their last repast. A wild ponv cannot do this. Unpracticed, grass-fed and soft, he shows no such strength or bottom. Should necessity point and occasion offer, one of these savage Mercurys will undertake a mustang's capture on foot, coursing him by sight as grayhounds course hares. The time selected is after a light snow, on account of the plain, open trd.il, it shows in the event of the pony getting out of sight at any time during the chase. Then, again, the running Indian can scoop up a handful of snow as he flies and make it take the place of water.

Among the Cotton Fields of Georgia. My ’ol boss He know how to figger, Know w’at dey cos’ 'N how to work er nigged * Sweet tn de mouf But 'e stan’ no kickin', 'Way down soul, In ol' cotton pickin't Oh, dot lan, Dey ain’t no beatin* Money in de han* . An’ a sightoHoJly eatin*; Melt in yo' mouf ’Tatar pone *n chicken, 'Way down sous, In ol’ cotton pickin'l My gal sly. She do de cookin’, Gimme chicken pio ■ Wen de missis aln't er lookin’, Rain er drouf You’ll find me er stickin* 'Way down sous, *. In ol' cotton pickin’. . —Atlanta Journal.

Lathly Nichols of Thomaston, Me., whose diseased arm was recently amputated, experienced some remakable sensations after the operations had been completed. After amputation thearm was placed in a box in a somewhat cramped position, and Nichols complained of a severe pain. Without his knowledge the arm was placed in a more natural position, whereupon he expressed great relief. As the missing member was carried away he indicated to those around him just ‘how the box was moved, and when it was tipped from level be felt considerable pain. He told when it was placed in the ground aud indicated by gestures with his remaining arm every shovelful of earth that was thrown upon it’ expressing much relief when the interment was ov6r. ■» Upon the headstone of a grave in the old fort cemetery at Winslow, Me., is inscribed this epitaph.. “Here lies the body of Richard Thomas, an Englishman by birth, a Whig of 70. By occupation a cooper. Like an old rum puncheon, marked, numbered, and shocked, he will be raised S;ain and finished by his Creator. e died Sept. 28, 1814. America, my adopted country, my advice, to you is this; ‘Take care of your Liberty.' ”