A SAGACIOUS MARE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1504, 26 October 1886, Page 3

A SAGACIOUS MARE.

Says the Virgiaia City Montanian John Fletcher owns a mare, which inns in a pasture adjoining the house. 1 The inare has a young colt at bet side. A few nights ago, after.Mr Fletcher had retired, he was aroused by the mare coming to the bouse, and by pawing, neighing, and in every possible way trying to get his attention. ..This »continuing for some time, he got up and went out and drove her away, and returned again to bed, but Bhe’imroediately returned, and if possible, increased her demonstrations. He again went out, when the mare caine up to him and rubbed her nose against him, although always .before^she had been very shy; thep ;i ran on afew yards before him cooitmuibg neighing: bo did not follow her, she returned to him-in the mostdemonstrativemanner. He attempted to drive her off, struck her with a stick, and followed her a few yards to frighten her away. As . soon, however, as he 'turned towards the house, she returnied and tried in every way to prevent him from , doing so. He then remarked thjat her cblt was not with her, a fact ho had not noticed before, as it was quite dark. ! It occurred to him then to follow her, ‘ which he did. So soon as she saWlie was doing so she; ran off before him. stopping every few yards, turning round to see. that he Was still following, then again running on, keeping up her calling -notil-Blve reached a distant part of *he field, where she stopped at an old “ prospect bole.” On coming up with her, she again commenced rubbing against him, and draw his attention (0 the bole, where be soon discovered the colt. It appears it had slipped into it, and was unable to get out, and the mare- had adopted this method to obtain assistance'. Being unable to get it out alone, Mr Fletcher'' went for some of bis neighbors, and "with them returnod. While' they wefe, faking the little-fellow out the m'are manifested the‘most intense delight, and seemed almost beside herself with joy; and afterwards, when the men had. got the colt out of the hole, she came up to Mr Fletcher, and, placing her nose on his shoulder, gave every' sign of gratitude that a human mother might under similar circumstances. Who will gay the horse does not reason ?