But One Of Those Government Mules Did
Not Forget, And With A Sudden Jerk Of His Big Head He Pulled The
General Over And Down From The Ice Into The Water, And In Such A Way
That He Was Wedged Tight In Between The Two Animals.
One would have
expected much objection on the part of the mules to the fishing out of
the general, but those two mules kept perfectly still, apparently
satisfied with the mischief that had already been done.
I can fancy
that there is one mule still chuckling over the fact of having gotten
even with a commanding officer! It is, quite warm now, and the ice has
gone out of the river, so there will he no trouble at the ford
to-morrow, when we start back.
There is one company of Faye's regiment stationed here, and the
officer in command of the post is major of the Third, so we feel at
home. We are staying with Lieutenant Harvey, who is making it very
pleasant for us. Hal is with us, and is being petted by everybody, but
most of all by the cavalry officers, some of whom have hunted with
Magic, Hal's father.
Last evening, while a number of us were sitting on the veranda after
dinner, a large turkey gobbler came Stalking down the drive in front
of the officers' quarters. Hal was squatted down, hound fashion, at
the top of the steps, and of course saw the gobbler at once. He never
moved, except to raise his ears a little, but I noticed that his eyes
opened wider and wider, and could see that he was making an estimate
of the speed of that turkey, and also making up his mind that it was
his duty as a self-respecting hound to resent the airs that were being
assumed by the queer thing with a red nose and only two legs. So as
soon as the turkey passed, down he jumped after him, and over him and
around him, until really the poor thing looked about one half his
former size. Then Hal got back of the turkey and waited for it to run,
which it proceeded to do without loss of time, and then a funny race
was on! I could have cried, I was so afraid Hal would injure the
turkey, but everyone else laughed and watched, as though it was the
sporting event of the year, and they assured me that the dog would
have to stop when he got to the very high gate at the end of the line.
But they did not know that greyhound, for the gate gave him still
another opportunity to show the thing that had wings to help its
absurd legs along what a hound puppy could do. When they reached the
gate the turkey went under, but the puppy went over, making a
magnificent jump that landed him yards in advance of the turkey,
thereby causing him the loss of the race, for before he could stop
himself and turn, the gobbler had very wisely hidden himself in a back
yard.
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