He was a horse, however, both in shape and character--one of that small but fiery breed taken by the Spanish conquerors to the New World, and now known throughout the western country as "mustangs." As I shall have reason to say more of these beautiful creatures by and by, I shall only state here, that the one in question was spotted like a pard, and answered to the name "Le Chat" (the cat)--particularly when Francois called him, for he was Francois' horse.
A little apart from the horses was another animal, of a dirty slate colour, with some white marks along the back and shoulders.

That was a true-bred Mexican mule, wiry and wicked as any of its race.

It was a she-mule, and was called Jeanette.

Jeanette was tethered beyond kicking distance of the horses; for between her and the mustang there existed no friendly feeling.

Jeanette was the owner of the odd-looking saddle--the pack.