TAMING HORSES. 87 



middle of tlie water, which soon melted and washed 

 away the salt that was in the bags. The animal, 

 finding itself thus alleviated and discharged of its 

 load, was able to jump up and pursue its journey 

 without fatigue: from thence it concluded that the 

 said fall and immersion in the river had been fa- 

 vorable and beneficial to it ; therefore, when it had 

 to cross the river a second time with a load of salt, 

 it stopped in the midst of the river, and plunged 

 in such a manner that its load soon melted away ; 

 and this hapj^ened every time it passed the stream ; 

 nor was it possible to break it of this trick, either 

 by words or blows, though vigorously and well- 

 applied, At last, the wise Thales bethought him- 

 self of this stratagem : He loaded the beast with 

 a very bulky load of sponge ; the mule, according 

 to custom, plunged into the water, and remained 

 some time; but, when it got up, it could hardly 

 stagger under the weight of its load, and, instead 

 of relief, found itself oppressed to such a degree, 

 that it ever after crossed the river with the greatest 

 care, so as not to fall in the water and increase the 

 weight of its load. 



