LOSS OF TWO MULES. 



239 



round and rounds then head over heels he went, 

 dashing against the rocks, while the peons were 

 following hira down the river, throwing their las- 

 soes at him, strange to say, he disengaged him- 

 self of his cargo, which proved his destruction, for 

 that appeared a greater consideration to the peons 

 than the poor animal, it being saved, and the 

 mule lost. To get this cargo over, now required 

 another mule to cross the river again. Although 

 I strongly protested against it, the poor black 

 one was sent. I saw he was very weak, for he 

 was nearly lost in going over light: however 

 the load was put on, and the lassoes made fast 

 to him ; when by dint of hallooing, beating, and 

 throwing stones, he made the attempt ; but 

 just as he got in the middle of the rapid, he 

 was whirled round like a top, off his legs, and 

 away he went, dragging the lassoes out of the 

 men's hands : others were thrown at him, but to 

 no purpose, his head went under water, and 

 dashing from one rock to another, life appeared 

 to be extinct in an instant, and in two minutes 

 we lost sight of him. Poor animal ! I could not 



