LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 51 



tionable ears, and a pair of unusually large eyes, beam- 

 ing the most perfect good temper and docility (most 

 uncommon qualities in a mule.) Her neck was thick, 

 and rendered more so in appearance by reason of her 

 mane not being roached, (or, in English, hogged,) which 

 privilege she alone enjoyed of the trio ; and her short 

 strong legs, ending in small round cat-like hoofs, were 

 feathered with a profusion of dark brown hair. 



As she stood stock-still, whilst the stranger removed 

 the awkwardly packed deer from her back, she flapped 

 her huge ears backward and forward, occasionally turn- 

 ing her head, and laying her cold nose against her 

 master's cheek. When the pack was removed, he 

 advanced to her head, and resting it on his shoulder, 

 rubbed her broad and grizzled cheeks with both his 

 hands for several minutes, the old mule laying her ears, 

 like a rabbit, back upon her neck, and with half-closed 

 eyes enjoyed mightily the manipulation. Then, giving 

 her a smack upon the haunch, and a "hep-a" well 

 known to the mule kind, the old favourite threw up her 

 heels and cantered off to the horse, who was busily 

 cropping the buffalo grass on the bluff above the 

 stream. 



Great was the contrast between the one just described 

 and the next which came up to be divested of her pack. 

 She, a tall beautifully shaped Mexican mule, of a light 

 mouse colour, with a head like a deer's, and long 

 springy legs, trotted up obedient to the call, but with 

 ears bent back and curled-up nose, and tail compressed 

 between her legs. As her pack was being removed, she 



