“You flatter me, sir.”

“Never—­I never flatter.  Now, Tom,” continued Ralph to the negro,” return homeward, and inform my dear old Governor that, next week, I shall return, temporarily, to make preparations for my marriage.  Further, relate to him the fate of Fodder—­go, sir.”

And throwing Tom, who grinned and laughed, a piece of silver, Ralph turned again to Jinks.

“Do you like Fodder?” he said.

“I consider him the paragon of donkeys,” returned Mr. Jinks.

And, hugging the donkey’s neck—­“Eh, Fodder?” said Jinks.

Fodder turned a sleepy looking eye, which was covered with the broad, square leather of the wagon-bridle, toward Mr. Jinks, and regarded that gentleman with manifest curiosity.  Then shaking his head, lowered it again, remonstrating with his huge ears against the assaults of the flies.

“He likes you already! he admires and respects you, Jinks!” cried Ralph, bursting into a roar of laughter; “a ride! a ride! mount, sir!”

“Is he vicious?” asked Mr. Jinks.

“Hum! he has been known to—­to—­do dreadful things!” said Ralph, choking.

Mr. Jinks drew back.

“But he won’t hurt you—­just try.”

“Hum!  I’d rather test his character first,” said Mr. Jinks; “of course I’m not afraid; it would be unnecessary for me to prove that, sir—­I wear a sword—­”

“Oh, yes?”

“But dangerous accidents have frequently resulted from—­”

“Donkeys? you are right.  But suppose I mount with you!” said Ralph, who had fallen into one of his mischievous moods.

“Hum! sir—­will he carry double, do you think?”

“Carry double!  He’d carry a thousand—­Fodder would!  Just get into the saddle, and I’ll put my handkerchief on his back, and mount behind—­I’ll guide him.  Come!”

And Ralph, with a suppressed chuckle, pushed Mr. Jinks toward the saddle.

Mr. Jinks looked round—­cleared his throat—­glanced at the expression of the donkey’s eyes—­and endeavored to discover from the movement of his ears if he was vicious.  Fodder seemed to be peaceful—­Mr. Jinks got into the saddle, his grasshopper legs reaching nearly to the ground.

“Now!” cried Ralph, vaulting behind him, “now for a ride!”

And seizing the reins, before Mr. Jinks could even get his feet into the stirrups, the young man kicked the donkey vigorously, and set off at a gallop.

Mr. Jinks leaned forward in the saddle with loud cries, balancing himself by the pummel, and holding on to the mane.  Fodder was frightened by the cries, and ran like a race-horse, kicking up his heels, and indeed rendered Ralph’s position somewhat perilous.  But that gentleman was experienced, from earliest infancy, in riding bareback, and held on.  He also held Mr. Jinks on.

The great swordsman continued to utter loud cries, and to remonstrate piteously.  Only the clatter of his sword, and Ralph’s shouts of laughter, answered him.