THE UTILIZATION OF MULES. 75 



A correspondent, dating from Texas some few years since, 

 writes as follows : — 



" I have just returned from a trip west with a mule train, of 

 about 400 miles, through a country where bridges are unknown, 

 and the roads are the best place you can find to drive — some- 

 times mountainous, intersected with steep-banked creeks ; at 

 others long steep rises, with draws between 2ft. or 3ft. deep in 

 black mud, and after a rain almost impassable for miles, as the 

 ruts cut in axle-deep, and if you leave them you have to unload 

 and get back to where you can feel bottom. We frequently 

 helped to pull out teams that were stuck fast, and for one mule 

 team we pulled three horse teams, as, if properly handled, the 

 mules will come down on their knees at a pull as many times as 

 von ask them. We never ask but twice, and, if stuck fast, 

 either cut loose the ' trail ' or double team. In explanation of 

 this last term, I may state that the usual way of freighting is 

 to take four to eight mules, generally six, two abreast, the 

 leaders small quick Spanish mules, with a span of large 

 American mules as wheelers ; the driver riding the near wheeler- 

 Two waggons, the larger one in front, and a lighter one or 

 ' trail ' behind, are attached to the axle of the front one, so as 

 to be easily uncoupled, and fitted with powerful 'California' 

 breaks, which the driver controls with a line. He drives with a 

 single rein, or ' jerk line.' Having the load divided between 

 eight wheels, it does not cut into the sand or mud as it would 

 on four. 



" Six mules, the leaders no larger than ponies, will take 6000 

 to 7000 pounds anywhere, making fifteen to thirty miles a day 

 according to the state of the roads, and I have known a team in 

 summer driven fifty miles, with 1000 pounds a head of load, to 

 reach water, and not appear to suffer. They do not recpiii'e the 

 feed horses do (who invariably lose flesh in the winter time) , 

 but will live on maize with very little roughness. 



" With regard to drivers, you find more Irish or English than 

 niers^ers ; it is harder work than the latter appreciate. I should 

 like your supply ofiicers to have seen a train of the United States 



