2G2 MULE -HUNTING EXPEDITION. 



' Say Cap'en here hold on ! ' 



I turned, and saw a man in a one-horse dray, 

 whipping up his horse, and violently gesticu- 

 lating for me to stop. He soon came up, and 

 jumping out of the dray, seized my hand, and 

 shook it with a grip that made my very eyes 

 water. 



' Guess you ain't acquainted with this child ? ' 



I said no; I had not the pleasure of knowing 

 him. 



4 1 spotted you, Cap'en, just as soon as ever I 

 seed you making tracks down the street. My 

 gal Car'line told me how she put you through all 

 the dance last night.' 



It suddenly flashed upon me that the dray- 

 man was my partner's papa. Here's a lively 

 affair ! If he does not ask me my intentions, and 

 riddle me with a six-shooter if I refuse to marry 

 his ' gal ' at once, I shall deem myself the most 

 fortunate of men. I civilly said, in reply, that I 

 found his daughter a most admirable partner. 



' I rather guess you did, Cap'en ; she's all 

 watch-spring and whalebone, she is ; can't skeer 

 up a smarter gal than " Car " in these parts, if 

 you was to do your darndest. She ! why, she's 

 worth her weight in nuggets to the man as gets 

 her.' 



