120 THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



rious disappointment, Major Jones virtually gave 

 him away, and he was used as a traveling stal- 

 lion at a small fee. John Treadwell, a Quaker 

 farmer near Jamaica, Long Island, had two 

 Conestoga* or Pennsylvania Dutch draft-mares. 

 Out of one of these mares, by Mambrino, was 

 born Abdallah. This horse was so bad-tempered 

 that he could never be broken to harness, but 

 was ridden under the saddle. He had no speed 

 either as a runner or trotter, not being able to do 

 a mile in four minutes at any gait. He had a mule- 

 like head and ears, a badly ewed neck, and a rat- 

 tail. But he was a Messenger, despite the Cone- 

 stoga crossing, and he was sold to Kentuckians 

 for $4500. In less than six months the Kentuck- 

 ians repented of their bargain, and sold him 



* I had a friend who was with the Confederate Cavalry when Lee 

 invaded Pennsylvania to meet defeat at Gettysburg. He told me that 

 the sleek, large Conestoga horses that were abimdant in the section 

 traversed were too tempting to be neglected, so many of the cavalry 

 men abandoned their lean and battle scarred mounts and replaced them 

 with the Conestogas. Before they reached the Potomac on their retreat 

 southward, these cold blooded draft horses were completely used up and 

 the soldiers swore at themselves for their folly in making the exchanges. 

 The Conestogas are good draft horses and serviceable on farms where 

 no quick work is required, but they are totally lacking in speed and the 

 courage and stamina which speed requires. A more impossible cross than 

 that between a Conestoga and a Thoroughbred could hardly be. imagined. 



