SOMETHING ABOUT THE HORSE.
765
After apparently examining them,
he selected the one weighing about sixty pounds, took it in his teeth, and
carried it about twenty feet to a clean spot on the floor. Finding it
difficult to untie the mouth of the sack, he cut a hole in the side and
shook out about a peck of its contents, and ate what he desired. Noticing
the cow, his only companion of long winter nights, looking with wistful
eye upon his treasure, the intelligent animal carried the bag some
ten feet farther, shook out more meal, and the two were found
lovingly feasting together in the morning.
A gentleman possessed of a span
of sprightly little horses, which, whether in the stable, in the field, or
in harness, were always together, proceeded to Lake Minnetooka on a
fishing excursion. Taking them from the carriage he tied them some
rods apart, near the lake-shore, and left them to feed. Repairing to a
shanty near by, the gentleman threw himself upon the floor, with the
intention of dozing away the time which would elapse before the return of
the fishing party engaged on the lake. But a short time passed before
the sound of a horse's feet aroused his attention, and a moment after one
of the horses appeared at the shanty door. The animal put his head
in, gave a loud neigh, and then, in a slow gallop, but evidently under
great excitement, returned toward the spot where he and his companion a
few moments before had appeared safely fastened. Surprised to find the
horse loose, and struck with his singular conduct, the gentleman
immediately followed, and found the other tying in the water, entangled by
the halter, and with great difficulty keeping from being drowned. While
efforts were being made to disengage the unfortunate horse, his noble and
intelligent benefactor stood by manifesting the utmost solicitude and
sympathy, and when his mate was fairly extricated from his perilous
situation, and once again safely upon solid ground, the generous creature
exhibited the most unequivocal signs of satisfaction and joy. That this
sagacious animal should have noticed the accident happening to his
companion—that he should know where to apply for help, and in his efforts
successfully sunder a strong rope— and, finally, that he should exhibit so
high an appreciation of the event, are curious circumstances, and
commend themselves to the thoughtful consideration of those who limit
the power of reason to man alone.
A traveler on a dark night
presented himself at the door of a country inn, and demanded lodging. The
landlord, after some general remarks, suddenly turned pale, and asked
of his guest what road he came ? Upon being informed, he almost
fainted with terror. On examination in the morning, it was found that
the horse rode by the traveler had walked with safety the string-piece of
a long bridge, and maintained his footing on the single extended timber,
scarce a foot wide. The planks of the bridge on the day previous had been
torn up for repairs; a miss-step of the sure-footed
animal
would have precipitated himself
and rider into a chasm a hundred feet below.
“In the good old times” when
pillions were in vogue, an old New England family owned a horse that was
accustomed for many years to carry some two or three persons to church,
wait for the services to be completed, and return home with his dutiful
load. In course of time, the services of the animal were no longer
needed, yet he did not take advantage of his well-earned freedom, for
as regularly as the Sabbath came, he would let down the bars of his
inclosure with his mouth, and decorously wend his way to the
“meeting-house,” where he would remain until the congregation was
dismissed, and then, with a conscience full of self-approval, would return
to his quarters.
Horses are capable of great
attachment for each other. A French cavalry officer relates, that an old
horse of his company, that was very full of mettle, suddenly became, from
the wearing away of his teeth, unable to chew his hay and corn ; in this
condition he was fed two months, and would have continued to be fed, by
two horses on each side of him, that ate out of the same manger. These
friendly creatures drew hay from the rack, which they partially
masticated, and then placed it before their aged companion ;
they did the same with the oats, which they ground very fine between their
teeth: this was often witnessed by a whole company of cavalry,
officers and men. A more intense feeling of sympathy was displayed in a
Hanoverian, which, with his companion, had served through the Peninsular
war. They had drawn the same gun, and had been inseparable companions
during many battles. One of them was at last killed; the survivor was
picketed out as usual, and his food brought to him ; but he refused
to eat, became restless, and constantly looked about as if in search of
his companion. Although surrounded by other animals of his kind, he took
no notice of them, and finally died, never touching food after he lost his
associate.
A terrible murder was committed
in Raleigh, Shelby County, Tennessee, and the person convicted of the
crime was indebted for his punishment to the sagacity of a horse. The
trial came off in a district, divided from one of another
jurisdiction by the highway on which the dark deed was committed. The
body was found some forty or fifty steps from the road, from which it had
evidently been dragged, and the doubt arose as to in which civil district
the murder had been committed. The probabilities were that the guilty
party would escape. Several months elapsed before the trial, when one
of the witnesses, mounted on the deceased's horse, and accompanied by many
persons, was riding toward the court-house. When the horse reached the
vicinity of the scene of the murder he began to exhibit symptoms of alarm,
which conduct greatly surprised all who witnessed it, for the other horses
in company showed no signs of fear. As the party proceeded onward,
the
Vol. XIII.—No. 78.-3 C