A Boy Outwits Secesh

The following sharp practice of a boy ten years old, son of Mrs. Horine occurred last week in Barre county, Mo.  The lad and his mother were riding a colt on the open prairie, when they were met by a squad of Secesh from Granby, who ordered them to dismount.  The leader placed his saddle on the colt, mounted the latter, and was thrown off quicker than thought.  Boy exclaimed “Good!” at which manifestation secesh swore roundly.  “Gentlemen there is a curl on that colt’s neck by which you can always know him.”  They desired the boy to point out the mark, when the little fellow stepping up to his favorite animal grasped the mane with one hand and with the other slipped off the bridle.  Colt, as if understanding the joke “skedaddled over the plain,” leaving the captors perfectly astounded at being thus so outwitted.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3