Pattonia, the pride of the plains

              Collected by Parler and O'Bryant at Wild Cherry, Ark
Mr. Al Bittick Winkelman, Arizona September 3, 1958
Reel 359, Item 5
Pattonia, the Pride of the Plains
As you look at the picture That hangs on the wall,
As you look at the arrow That hangs by its side,
You'll say, Tell a story,"
You know there is one,
Of the horse called Pattonia —
The story's begun.
His hair like a lady's Was glossy and fine,
He was reckless and proud But gentle and kind.
His arched neck was covered With a dark flowing mane And they called him Pattonia,
The Pride of the Plain.
The country was new
And the settlers were scarce,
The Indians on the warpath Were savage and fierce.
So the sentries were sent out Every day from the post,
But they never came back So we knew they were lost.
One day, the captain said, "Fellows, Someone must go Across the dark border Of New Mexico.
A dozen young fellows Straightway answered here,
But the captain he spied me,
I was standing quite near.
Pattonia was by me,
His nose in my hand,
Said the captain, "Your horse Is the best in this land.
You're good for the ride,
You're the lightest one here,
On the back of that mustang You have nothing to fear."Pattonia, the Pride of the Plain
Reel 359, Item 5
Continued
Then proud of my pony,
I answered, you know,
"Pattonia and I
Are both willing to go.
For speed and endurance I'll trust in my black,"
So,they all shook my hand And I nodde his back.
Turned down the dark pathway,
Turned his head to the back,
The black struck a trot And he kept it all night.
When far back behind me I heard a shrill yell And I knew that the redskins Were right on my trail.
I reached down and jingled The bells on Pat's rein;
I spoke to Pattonia I called him by name Pattonia then answered With a nod of his head,
And his dark body lengthened As onward he sped.
We were leaving the redskins Who started this fight,
The arrows fell round us Like hail and like rain,
Pattonia he stumbled,
I knew he was hurt,
But still we dashed onward And into the farm.
I delivered the message Add tried to dismount,
But a pain in my foot Was so bad I could not.
By good care and patience That soon were well
yet many years after I will not try to tell.
As you look at the arrow That hangs on the wall,
It went through my foot,
Saddle, stirrup, and all.
-more-Pattonia, the Pride of the Plains
Reel 359, Item 5
Continued
On many fine hosses I've since held the reins,
But none like Pattonia,
The Pride of the Plain.