We removed the halter; the animal lay quiet.

The pity of the by-standers was maddening; their remarks exasperating.

"Poor little mule, he dies;" they pointed to his rubbed sides,--"Ah, poor creature! What a heavy load! How thin he is." It is certain that the best mule in the town was in far worse condition, and as for food, Chontal had eaten more the night before than our two horses put together.

Having exhausted their vocabulary of sympathy, our friends left us, as the "poor little animal" showed signs of coming to.

We concluded to engage a man on foot to carry the burden across the mountains and to lead Chontal.