THROUGH THE SIERRA MAH RES. 207 
resplendent, but with a luster wholly its 
own, that can be no more compared with 
any other than can the flash of the 
diamond be compared with the fire of the 
opal. I would like to place it alongside 
of the American mule for comparison in 
the “deadly double column ” of the news¬ 
paper, but the Mexican beast would kick 
out the intervening rule and “pi” the 
type before enough was up to form an 
opinion. On the mountain trail this dis¬ 
tinct species of mule was never known to 
fall, although he has an exasperating and 
blood-curdling way of stumbling along 
over it that would raise the hair of a bald- 
headed man on end. Many a time I 
have watched the mule I was compelled 
to ride with a view of discovering his 
methods of trying to frighten me to death 
as payment for past injuries. Oftentimes 
