the
shafts and a small part of the cart.

"There he goes! I knew something would happen to him!" cried Mr.
Sneed. "To-day is Friday!"

"Oh, he'll be hurt--maybe killed!" cried Ruth, for, in spite of his
rather too-tragic airs, Mr. Bunn was liked by all.

"I guess he won't get hurt much!" exclaimed Sandy. "Hee-haw never
runs far, an' he never did such a thing before."

However, all the men ran down the road to see the outcome of the
happening to Mr. Bunn, and to lend help, if necessary.

On ran the mule, seemingly not slackening speed, and to his neck, so
that he should not fall off, clung the actor. His long legs flapped
up and down, and swayed from side to side, while his cries of wild
distress floated back to his friends.

"Stop him! Don't let him run! Grab him, somebody!" pleaded Mr. Bunn.
But there was no one who could stop the animal.

However, the ride was not destined to be a long one. The mule ran
along the highway, leaped a roadside ditch, and then stopped short in
front of a grassy bank. So sudden was the halt that Mr. Bunn shot
over the animal's head, his hold around the neck being broken, and he
was thus neatly upset, coming down amid the luxurious growth of
grass.

He sat there dazed for a moment, his face being now curiously
streaked, for some of the powdered carbon had rubbed off on the
mule's neck. As for Hee-haw, he began quietly cropping the grass, as
if he had done his part of the entertainment.

"Oh, if I had only been able to get that on the film!" cried Russ, as
he and the others ran up. "Maybe we can get him to do it over again,
Mr. Pertell."

"What--do that again! Never! I resign here and now!" exclaimed the
actor. "I am through with the moving picture business forever!"

But as he had often said that before, and as he was in the habit of
resigning at least once every day, no one took him seriously.

"Are you hurt, my dear sir?" asked the manager, solicitously, as he
reached Mr. Bunn's side.

"If I am not, it is not due to you," was the retort. "But I believe I
have escaped with my life."

He arose gingerly, and discovered that he had not even a scratch. The
soft grass had saved him from everything but a jolt.

"I never knew Hee-haw to act so before," said Sandy, as he came up
and took charge of the mule.

"Well, he'll never get the chance to act so with me again," declared
Mr. Bunn, with great decision. "Now, as soon as I get this detestable
black from my face, I am going