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Mulo at once determined of "letting well alone", when "in the kettle, jump not into the fire" &c. So without so much as a move of his tail there he remained, nor carajas, nor curses, nor puñetas, nor puños were sufficient to induce him to move a muscle of his frame. "Aqui estoy, he argued, mas me gusta quedan." Here I am , and I'd rather remain. "Mas valen palos, que lobos." Cuffs before wolves". and there he next word underlined: would remain, until, what any but a Spaniard would have done at first, the load was removed from his back. Then commenced a conversation between our Mayoral, and the macho on the ground. In deprecating tones half crying half sarcastically, such as a Spaniard alone can command when talking to his mule, he would expose the cutting conduct and insulting obstinacy of the prostrate beast, his coadjustors the while standing by, manufacturing their cigars and occasionally dove tailing in an epithet of objurgation.
Ahora, indigno, quieres elevantarte, ar-r-r-te. Ingrato, maldita sea la madre que to pario, ar-r-r-te, porque, me das estas malas palabras? tu cochino, ar-r-r-te macho, maldita ser la hora, que to via ar-h-r-te, faccioso. Pronta sea su muerte digo yo, ar-r-te, cobarde que te alvide Dios, bruto, ar-r-te. At length the last package is removed. Mulo measures his distance, gives a flop and a flounder, kicking a storm of snow upon us, and is once more on his legs.
About noon the dull and leaden clouds gathering to a head above us suddenly discharged their freight in the shape of a storm of snow such as I have never witnessed, although I have passed a winter in the woods of Canada, thick as falling leaves, and equal in size to leaves of books, down pelted the flakes. In a few minutes, the track was filled and the sagacity of our mules alone could discover the line or path. It was impossible to see before one the length of an arm, and we could only advance at a snails pace. At length we were brought to a halt, the leading mule refusing to advance a step. With pricked up ears, and staring eyes, his neck bent to the snow and trembling violently, he stood stock still. The application of the Miguel's lasso and his language of coaxing, promises and threats were equally unavailing, until at length Miguel thinking there might be some obstruction which we could not see -- crept past