e other seven, and the satisfaction
shared equally by the mules and your partner was one of the most
ludicrous sights I've ever seen. When Uncle Joe, who was in his best
vein, explained the whole affair, I laughed until I cried. Is it true
that the seven worshipers won't leave her?"

Tom, laughing in sympathy with her mirth, nodded. "Picket her, with her
bell on, and we can let the others graze without hobbles or ropes. They
won't leave her. Don't ask me why, for if you do I can only answer by
saying that they have been trained that way; why it is possible for them
to be trained in such a way, and so easily, is beyond me. When we left
Independence Hank and I caught many a scornful glance directed at our
_atejo_, for I must confess that it was made up of eight scarecrows; but
handsome is as handsome does, and now our pack train troubles are
confined solely to packing and unpacking the animals. We don't even have
to remember what pack or _aparejo_ belongs to each mule; they know their
own unerringly, and will shower kicks on any careless or stupid
companion who blunders up to the wrong pack. Perhaps you've heard that
mules are stupid; that's something that you can discount heavily. They
are stupid only when it serves their purpose." He laughed again. "We
have one mule that takes a thrashing every morning, regular as a clock.
Hank calls him 'Dummy,' but I am not sure that he is well named. I can't
decide whether he is dumb or perverse. But the fact remains that he
never selects his own pack, and gets kicked along the line until he
reaches it by elimination. I shall enjoy studying him as we go along."

As they jogged on, a strip of timber running almost at right angles to
their course and thinning out to the north in about the same proportion
that it thickened to the south, came in sight and Tom knew it to be
Cottonwood Creek, and their last glimpse of the waters of the Neosho. He
well remembered the somewhat sharp bend formed by it on the farther
side, which was taken advantage of by some caravans and the corral
formation ignored. A line of closely spaced wagons across the neck of
the bend made corral enough.

"Well, we better get back to the caravan," he said. "While the creek is
all right there are many who are only waiting for a chance to cry that
the officers are remiss in their duties. I'll leave you with your uncle,
well guarded by six trusty knights, and go ahead with the advance
guard."

She glanced at him out