Ellis squared around to face him. "I expected you to say exactly that,"
he muttered. "Just how did you expect us to move on without another
mule?"
Joe had no immediate answer. He stood quiet, staring unhappily into
Ellis's sullen face. "We'll take him back," he said.
"If that's the way you want it," Ellis said.
In the darkness, Joe walked to the black mule and laid a hand on his
powerful neck. The mule smelled him over and nibbled Joe's arm with his
lips. Ellis had brought no bronco, but a harness-broken mule. Joe tied a
rope to his halter and picketed him in the grass. The horse did not
protest when he was led away from the mare and picketed near.