The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland ExpeditionsMarcy, Randolph B. (Randolph Barnes)
History
The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions
Marcy, Randolph B. (Randolph Barnes)
Overland journeys to the Pacific; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
Andersson, in his work on Southwestern Africa, says: "A short strong
stick, of peculiar shape, is forced through the cartilage of the nose
of the ox, and to either end of this stick is attached (in bridle
fashion) a tough leathern thong. From the extreme tenderness of the
nose he is now more easily managed." "Hans presented me with an ox
called 'Spring,' which I afterward rode upward of two thousand miles.
On the day of our departure he mounted us all on oxen, and a curious
sight it was to see some of the men take their seats who had never
before ridden on ox-back. It is impossible to guide an ox as one would
guide a horse, for in the attempt to do so you would instantly jerk the
stick out of his nose, which at once deprives you of every control over
the beast; but by pulling _both_ sides of the bridle at the same time,
and toward the side you wish him to take, he is easily managed.[1] Your
seat is not less awkward and difficult; for the skin of the ox, unlike
that of the horse, is loose, and, notwithstanding your saddle may be
tightly girthed, you keep rocking to and fro like a child in a cradle.
A few days, however, enables a person to acquire a certain steadiness,
and long habit will do the rest."
[1] A ring instead of the stick put through the cartilage of the
nose would obviate this difficulty.--AUTHOR.
"Ox traveling, when once a man becomes accustomed to it, is not so
disagreeable as might be expected, particularly if one succeeds in
obtaining a tractable animal. On emergencies, an ox can be made to
proceed at a tolerable quick pace; for, though his walk is only about
three miles an hour at an average, he may be made to perform double
that distance in the same time. Mr. Galton once accomplished 24 miles
in four hours, and that, too, through heavy sand!"
Cows will be found very useful upon long journeys when the rate of
travel is slow, as they furnish milk, and in emergencies they may be
worked in wagons. I once saw a small cow yoked beside a large ox, and
driven about six hundred miles attached to a loaded wagon, and she
performed her part equally well with the ox. It has been by no means an
unusual thing for emigrant travelers to work cows in their teams.
The inhabitants of Pembina, on Red River, work a single ox harnessed in
shafts like a horse, and they transport a thousand pounds in a rude
cart made entirely of wood, without a particle of iron. One man drives
and takes the entire charge of eight or ten of these teams upon long
journeys. This is certainly a very economical method of transportation.
STORES AND PROVISIONS.
Supplies for a march should be put up in the most secure, compact, and
portable shape.
Bacon should be packed in strong sacks of a hundred pounds to each; or,
in very hot climates, put in boxes and surrounded with bran, which in a
great measure prevents the fat from melting away.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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