The Placer Herald

Mules in Central America.

One of the most striking characteristics of the mule is his aversion to the ass, and the pride he takes in his relationship to the horse; which instincts are met by obtrusive-ness in the ass, and by indifference in the horse. If an ass at any time-urged by the vanity peculiar to his race as related to the mule-happens to fall in with a drove of mules, he will, in all probability be kicked and trampled by his proud relatives. A horse, on the contrary, takes a distinguished position in a drove of mules. The latter crowd around him, and follow his movements, exhibiting a violent jealousy, each trying to stand nearest his high-bred relative.

This instinct is employed to keep together the droves of mules, on a journey or at pasture, by putting a mare to the drove, with a bell round her neck, and called the bell mare. This animal is led day and night by a cord, and the whole drove is kept under control, and will not leave their queen. It is therefore very difficult to separate the drove. The man who leads the mare is instructed, in case of an attack by the Indians, to leap upon the back of the animal, and take refuge in the wagon encampment, where the drove is sure to follow him. Even if the Indians succeed in separating any from the drove, they find it difficult to carry them off. The animals incessantly attempt to turn back. and the travelers are thus enabled to over-take the robbers, and recover the stolen animals. The Indians, in consequence, use every means to get possession of the mare; and if they succeed in this, the whole drove is lost to their owners.

If several horses are in a drove of mules, the danger is that the latter becomes dispersed; and this is the reason that, in these journeys, saddle horses are not allowed to go loose, but are led by a cord.-Froebel.