But another hour passed before Ellis and Barbara came riding back up the
trail down which they had ventured so happily. Ellis drew the horse to a
walk and the laughter that had been his faded.
Joe saw quick hurt flood Barbara's face and tears glisten in her eyes.
She slid from the horse and stood for a moment looking at the dead mule.
Then she disappeared around the wagon. Even while his heart went out to
her, Joe knew misgivings. Barbara had never been able to see anything
she liked hurt, but this was a new country where some things were bound
to get hurt. How many more hurts would she have in the west?
"Lost a mule." Joe could not keep the worry from his voice. "I don't
really know what happened. Let's hitch your horse in with the other one
and get out of here."
"Right."
Ellis slid from his horse and unsaddled him. The horse stood quivering,
a little afraid, when Joe approached with the mare mule's harness. He
was a saddle mount and had never worn a harness, but he had complete
faith in Ellis. The horse pushed a trusting muzzle against his master
while Joe adjusted the harness to fit. Joe said,
"Bring him over."
Joe leaped just in time to avoid the mule's lunge, and the bridle was
jerked from his hand. The animal went berserk. His ears were back. Eyes
blazed and his awful mule's mouth was savagely open as he leaped at the
horse. Coming to the end of his picket rope, he was brought up short and
reared to paw the air with furious hoofs while he squealed his rage.
The horse was plunging too, dragging Ellis as he sought to avoid the
fury coming at him. He snorted and reared, and allowed himself to be
halted only when a hundred yards separated him from the enraged mule.
The horse rolled his eyes and shivered. He eyed the mule, ready to run
again should it come again. But once the horse was chased to a safe
distance the mule merely returned to his dead mate and stood quietly
near her. He did not resent Joe's presence and he made no protest when
Joe stroked him softly. But the horse could not come near.