But a negro man, named Isaac Waddell, agreed to hire them his horse Hector, for fifty cents for the day; and the storekeeper, after much persuasion, lent a big gray mule, Grits by name.

There was another mule in the village, which the boys could have if they wanted her; but they did not want her--that is, if they could get anything else with four legs that would do to go in their team.

This was Polly, a little mule, belonging to Mrs.Dabney, who kept the post-office.

Polly was not only very little in size, but she was also very little given to going.

She did not particularly object to a walk, if it were not too long, and would pull a buggy or carry a man with great complacency, but she seldom indulged in trotting.