OBSTREPEROUS MULE. 201 



days nothing worthy of note occurred. The captain 

 of the camp again broached the subject of pur- 

 chasing my nags ; but, on being informed that I still 

 required them,* he left me in a fit of bad temper, 

 which he took no trouble to disguise, carrying it so 

 far as to refuse to sell me a few pounds of ammuni- 

 tion. However, I succeeded through my companion 

 in obtaining all that was requisite, which enabled 

 me to take the road in better spirits, and with more 

 courage, than if it had been otherwise. The last time 

 I saw Soule he was swearing loudly at an unfor- 

 tunate Indian, who had returned from an unsuccess- 

 ful hunt, and, consequently, was unable to pay off 

 some trifling debt. From his camp I departed with 

 pleasure, hoping if ever I met him again it would 

 be on more equal terms. 



Our first morning's ride was by far the pleasantest 

 travelling we had yet enjoyed. The ground was 

 firm and suitable for horses. The scenery was 

 pretty, the atmosphere bright, and the temperature 

 such that more favourable could not have been 

 selected. 



The better to husband the strength of the mare 

 I rode the mule ; rest had made the long-eared 

 scoundrel so obstreperous that it became necessary 

 to visit his flanks with flagellation. For this purpose 

 I cut a sharp birch-rod, the application of which 

 nearly caused me a spill, for the blackguard made a 

 rear and plunge conjointly, that sent me over his 

 diminutive mis-shapen withers. Through dint of 



