The bargain had been made, and the mule delivered, and all I could do was to make the best of it.  I was extremely glad to get out of town so cheaply, however; and, as it was, it became very dark before we reached camp; for the new purchase would not be driven, and only consented to be led, because Hal’s pony was the stronger.

Jerry’s opinion of the animal was given in words more forcible that elegant; and Hal’s purchase was laughed at by all.  Many were the bets offered, that Patsey couldn’t ride him; but Patsey stoutly asserted he’d “ridden mules in the ould country, and why couldn’t he do it in Ameriky?”

Shortly after leaving camp, the road crossed a small stream, which we knew could be easily forded.  Jerry, with an eye to some sport, ordered Patsey, who, mounted upon his mule, was feeling very grand, to lead the way; and Patsey, nothing loth, started; but, alas! the animal refused to take the water.

Four times did he attempt to force him, and four times he was unseated and violently hurled to the ground:  at each overthrow, however, he returned to the charge with fond hopes, fresh courage, and a stronger determination to make the animal enter the stream.

Upon the fifth trial, somewhat to our surprise and Patsey’s delight, the mule quietly approached and entered the stream, without the least reluctance.

We all shouted our congratulations at the boy’s well-deserved victory; while Patsey himself was so elated at his success, that he could not resist manifesting his exultation by digging his heels into the animal’s sides, with a vindictiveness, that could not fail to stir up all its vicious propensities; while he kept up a running tirade of abuse, after the Mexican style, as follows:—­

“So yez thought yez wouldn’t cross the wathers, did yez (a dig with his heels).  I’m the bye that’ll show yez, that, whin Patsey McQuirk’s aboard (another dig), and say’s crass, ye’ll crass, so yez will (dig).  Ye moight jist ez well done it first ez last, so yez moight (dig, dig), but ye’ll understand it next time, so yez will (dig, dig).”

The mule waded on, apparantly in meek submission, until he had nearly reached the middle of the stream, when, without the least warning, he laid back his ears, lowered his head, and elevated his heels so quickly, that Patsey went flying, heels over head into the stream, far towards the opposite shore, amid the shouts and laughter of the whole party.

He floundered about in the water for some minutes, completely bewildered.  Occasionally he would disappear; then come to the surface, half suffocated, to again stumble, fall, and disappear; all the time calling for “Hilp! hilp! hilp!”

He finally reached the bank, the most woe begone, discouraged Irish boy ever seen clothed in a buckskin suit; nor did our screams of laughter tend to console him for his unwelcome bath:  on the contrary, he began to look about him for some one upon whom to vent his anger.