oyment of
drawing in mouthfuls of the limpid element, while with all four legs
separated to the utmost, the animal now refused to move.

"You brute!" roared Ned.

But the mule was quite aware of that fact. It knew it was one of the
most despised of brutes, and had been told so till it ceased to have any
effect, while now that it was drinking, whip or spur, kick or blow would
have had no effect.

"Never mind," cried Chris. "I know--we can manage." As he spoke he
rapidly opened the tompion-like cover of one bung-hole, letting it
rattle down by the side of the empty barrel and hang by its little brass
chain, and then dragged at the barrel, trying vainly to bring the
opening down to a level with the water.

"Oh, do something, Ned," shouted Chris. "We ought to be on the way
back. Shove your barrel up as high as you can."

Ned thrust his shoulder under the side and forced the barrel up, and the
wooden pack-saddle gave a little at the same time.

"That do?" he cried.

"Yes, splendid!" For by pressing down with all his force Chris got the
opening level at last with the water, which began to stream in till its
weight rendered the task less difficult, and by degrees the barrel kept
its own position, the air within going out in strange hollow sounds as
it was dislodged.

"Now I'm more than half full, Ned," cried Chris eagerly. "I'll hoist up
my side while you draw your barrel down."

This task proved more difficult, but after a few tries a little water
rushed into the empty receptacle. Then a little more and a little more,
till Chris thrust upward with all his might, and the clear fluid ran in
with a rush, till the mule raised its head, shook the drops from its
muzzle, and whinnied.

Then, feeling far less buoyant from what it had drunk and the way in
which the light barrels began to be turned into weights which kept it
steady, there was no more resistance to being led in deeper, so that
with very little effort the casks were lowered in turn till the water
ceased to flow in, and the tompions were replaced and safely secured.

The water was now, at every movement made, passing in little waves right
over the mule's spine, and there it stood showing its teeth as if
preparing to bite, but made no vicious effort, only stood blinking its
eyes and turning its ears in all directions as if in the height of
enjoyment.

As soon as the second barrel was secured, "full to the bung," the mule's
head was turned.

"Go on