"I bought him from one of the French vignerons below Westover," he said.

"The fellow was astride the poor creature, beating him with a club because he could not go.

I laid Monsieur Crapaud in the dust, after which we compounded, he for my purse, I for the animal; since when the poor beast and I have tramped it together, for I could not in conscience ride him.

Have you read me Aesop's fables, Captain Percy ?" "I remember the man, the boy, and the ass," I replied.

"The ass came to grief in the end.