referable. But
when the march is to extend 1500 or 2000 miles, or over a rough sandy
or muddy road, I believe young oxen will endure better than mules; they
will, if properly managed, keep in better condition, and perform the
journey in an equally brief space of time. Besides, they are much more
economical, a team of six mules costing six hundred dollars, while an
eight-ox team only costs upon the frontier about two hundred dollars.
Oxen are much less liable to be stampeded and driven off by Indians,
and can be pursued and overtaken by horsemen; and, finally, they can,
if necessary, be used for beef.

In Africa oxen are used as saddle animals, and it is said that they
perform good service in this way. This will probably be regarded by our
people as a very undignified and singular method of locomotion, but, in
the absence of any other means of transportation upon a long journey, a
saddle-ox might be found serviceable.

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