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54 more to the rescue - see them - damn mules!" Their laughs and jeers would make a mule desperate - could he only understand. We got stuck coming up a hill to this place and then - it was no matter of sport. We put shoulder to the uhuls - the driver on one side - myself on the other - spurring on the animals. Get up! hey! get up! all together now - what are you about - get up here! - while every word was emphasized with a blow. Between going and heaving - and blowing and jerking we accomplished the ascent in about a half hour. But the mule is not all faults after all - he has some virtues - and they are worthy of remembrace. He is patient - surefooted - will live on small allowances will traverse places - when horses feel embarrsad. Let his driver but govern and guide him according to his nature - and the abused mule will perform well his tasks. But it requires some observation - to enable one to get along well with them. Coming up from Bunicin - we had a lot of mules to head for some distance. Being desirous of hast I offered my services with some other persons. They had the greatest difficulty in leading their beasts - a mule will not lead at all. I had them under my charge - and having a long halter - full behind and got them over the ground with all ease. The difference in the management of my Companions and myself - was - while they had to pull their mules over the road - mine pulle me. But a drunken men and an obstinate mule in Sacramento pleased me much. I do not know which was the most laughable - the self esteem of the men or the tactics of the animal. He had just unharnessed and wished to lead his mule away. The more he tried gentle means - the more the mule would not come. Spectators being by - he did not wished to be fooled by an ass - and so grew outrageous - this but made matters worse - till approaching menancingly to noose the creatures nose - it sprang away - rolling the drunken driver sprawling on the gorund. Aha! thought I - thus ends this mans beasts - like many on other vain glorious boasted - in his biting the dust - and by just as formidable a cause - an ass!