r
house that will make a tip-top mule hospital."

"Then it's a bargain, Warren; and if you take care of him, Derrick, you
must let me pay all the doctor's bills, and furnish all necessary hay,
corn, and oats."

Thus it was decided that Harry Mule should be restored to health and
usefulness, if money, skill, and kind care could do it.

Before Derrick left, the mine boss said to him, "Now that there is no
Harry Mule for you to drive, I am going to promote you, and let you work
with Tom Evert as his helper. In that position you will gain a
thoroughly practical knowledge of mining. You may report to him
to-morrow."

CHAPTER XV

A "SQUEEZE" AND A FALL OF ROCK

As it was impossible for Harry Mule to climb the gigantic stairway of
the travelling-road, his legs were bound so that he could not move them,
a platform was laid across two coal-cars from which the sides had been
removed, and he was placed on this, and firmly lashed to it. In this
manner he was drawn to the top of the slope, and from there he managed
to limp, though with great difficulty and very slowly, to the little
stable behind the Sterlings' house.

Here, by order of the mine boss, carpenters had been at work since early
morning making a roomy box-stall in place of two small ones, and
providing it with a broad sling of strong canvas, which was hung from
eye-bolts inserted in beams overhead. This was passed beneath the mule's
belly, and drawn so that while he could stand on three legs if he
wished, he could also rest the whole weight of his body upon it.

After Harry Mule was thus made as comfortable as possible, a skilful
veterinary surgeon set his broken leg, and bound it so firmly with
splints that it could not possibly move. He also sewed up the cuts on
various parts of the animal's body, and said that with good care he
thought the patient might recover, though his leg would probably always
be stiff.

These operations occupied the attention of Mr. Jones, the Halfords, and
the Sterling family, including Derrick, until noon, when it was time for
Mrs. Halford and Miss Nellie to take the train for Philadelphia.

Before leaving, Mrs. Halford had an interview with Bill Tooley, who was
now able to hobble about with the aid of a crutch. She said that if he
would, under Derrick's direction, take care of Harry Mule, and see that
all his wants were promptly supplied until he got well, she would pay
him the same wages that he could earn by working in