232 CHARACTERISTIC OF THE MULE. Book II. 
which are in many respects far more interesting than the 
former, and whose natural disposition is an attractive 
subject to the observer of nature. One of the most 
striking characteristics of the mule is his aversion to the 
ass, and the pride he takes in his relationship to the 
horse ; which instincts are met, with obtrusiveness in the 
ass, and by indifference in the horse. If an ass at any 
time — urged by the vanity peculiar to its race as related to 
the mule — happens to fall in with a drove of mules, he 
will, in all probability, be kicked and lamed by his proud 
relatives. A horse, on the contrary, takes a distinguished 
position in a drove of mules. The latter crowd round 
him, and follow his movements, exhibiting a violent 
jealousy, each striving to stand nearest to their high-bred 
relative ; this instinct is employed to keep together the 
droves of mules, on a journey or at pasture, by putting a 
mare to the drove, with a bell round her neck, and called 
the " Bell-mare," — by the Mexicans, " la yegua madre " 
(Mother- mare). This animal is led day and night by a 
cord ; and the whole drove is thus kept under control, and 
will not leave their queen. It is therefore very difficult to 
separate the drove. The man who leads the mare is 
instructed, in case of an attack from the Indians, to leap 
instantly upon the back of this animal, and take refuge in 
the waggon-encampment, whither the drove is sure to 
follow him. Even if the Indians succeed in separating 
any from the drove, they find it difficult to carry them off. 
The animals incessantly attempt to turn back, and the tra- 
vellers are thus enabled to overtake the robbers and recover 
the stolen animals. The Indians, in consequence, use 
every means to get possession of the mare ; and, if they 
succeed in this, the whole drove is lost to their owners. 
If several horses are in a drove of mules, the danger is 
