Mules is swine, and no better'n some men, and I give ye notice no man ain't goin' to come 'tween me and my mules.

I'll paste 'em when I like, and I'll paste 'em like they did me, the varmints, and I won't have no animile that walks like a man interferin' 'tween me and the mules and tellin' me what ter do.

Git out of here afore I give ye a wallop on the jaw, fer I'm goin' ter finish what I begun on June, and her name'll be December when I git through, and don't ye fergit it." Joe grabbed the mule by an ear, gave the animal a prod with her club, then slapped June's face.
"Consarn ye, ye pore insect that's tryin to look like a hoss, but that ain't even got the skin of one, I reckon ye'll be good arter this," she finished, and threw a pack over the back of the now thoroughly subdued pack-mule.

"Git started, ye folks, and don't say nothin' to me, for I'm li'ble to git mad arter the stirrin' up them mules give me." "_Alors!_ Let's go," suggested Elfreda after the laughter of the Overlanders had subsided.
They were on their way a short time later, laughing as they headed for the section on which they hoped eventually to meet Tom, and make permanent camp.

The forest woman had never been in that part of the woods, but, knowing the general direction, thought she could hold to it and come out somewhere near the spot they desired to reach.
That night they lay down to sleep in the open, wrapped in their blankets.