178 WILD NEIGHBORS chap. 



The intelligence and cunning of mules are sur- 

 prising. Few, however, have been trained to per- 

 form in public. The donkey, on the contrary, 

 has been the clown's accompanist for centuries, 

 caricaturing his nobler brethren of the ring, as 

 his master caricatures the ring-masters and gym- 

 nasts. Twice within a few years troupes of asses 

 have been exhibited, performing in concert most 

 of the feats usually taught to horses, and doing 

 them quite as well. The male ass is regarded as 

 a dangerous animal, however. His gaudy halter 

 is really a strong muzzle to prevent his biting, 

 and his hoofs are never shod, for he is likely to 

 kick at times when it is not his cue to do so. 

 Lately a good deal has been done toward domes- 

 ticating and training to harness the zebra — that 

 is, Burchell's zebra ; but though this has met with 

 considerable success in South Africa, the zebra 

 takes no part in the show-ring as yet beyond 

 drawing a wagon now and then. 



Even bulls have been put into the show-tent. 

 An old book records that in 1270 oxen were ex- 

 hibited in England which could ride on horse- 

 back. During the summer of 1883, two young 

 bulls were performing at the Westminster Aqua- 

 rium in London, whose docility was at least 

 remarkable for novelty. They marched and 

 countermarched, stood upon pedestals, operated 

 the seesaw, walked up and down stairs, fired 

 pistols and rang bells by pulling cords with their 



