The animal, being as much scared as myself, started up the trail at a gallop.

I had saved my life but lost my mule.

I have no taste for overtaking runaway mules on a steep and interminable up-grade.

It is a taste which must be acquired.
But then, of course, the mule would turn after his first alarm and tear down to the stable.

I resolved to push on in the hope of finding a wider portion of the path, or at least of meeting the animal before he had acquired uncontrollable momentum.
At the very first turn a boy appeared hurrying back with my palfry.