Somebody had jammed a clown's cap on Teddy's head, while someone
else had hit it a smash with the flat of his hand, until the peak
of the cap lopped over to one side disconsolately.
Teddy's face wore an appreciative grin, Jumbo's long ears lying
as far back on his head as they would reach. To the ordinary
observer it might have been supposed that the mule was angry
about something. On the contrary, it was his way of showing his
pleasure. When a pan of oats was thrust before Jumbo, or he
chanced upon a patch of fresh, tender grass, the ears expressed
the animal's satisfaction.
Jumbo could do pretty much everything except talk, but
occasionally the stubbornness of his kind took possession of him.
At such times the trick mule was wont to do the most erratic
things.
"How'd you like to ride him in?" chuckled Miaco, who stood
regarding the lad with a broad smile.
"If I had a saddle I wouldn't mind it," grinned Teddy's funny
face as an accompaniment to his words.
Jumbo's equipment consisted of a cinch girth and a pair of bridle
reins connected with a headstall. There was no bit, but the
effect was to arch his neck like that of a proud stallion.
Pages:
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195