It's an outrage to have to drive with 

 such creatures." 



"Ye see, Ma'am, that's why the 

 boss didn't specially hanker to send 

 ye out. He don't keep no lady's 

 hosses in this outfit, an' this being 

 in the beginning of the season, them 

 cayuses will know more if they live 

 through it. But them leaders come 

 mixed, hoss an' mule; mighty tough, 

 an' mighty ornery." 



"They ought to be broken before 

 risking traveller's lives. Are you 

 afraid?" Gracious! We struck a 

 gnarled shrub and swung sidewise 

 dangerously and I repented my 

 loquacity. I was answered in the 

 order of remarks. 



"Yes ma'am, but it is cheaper 

 for the Company to do it this way. 

 No ma'am; leastways it don't count." 



I wondered whether he really did 

 know fear. Whether or not, it was 

 evident that it did not "count." 

 I laid the thought away after label- 

 ling it "tonic," but asked no more 

 questions, and after three miles had 

 worried past and a steep ascent 

 begun, the animals had lost some 

 of their energy, although they con- 



