young gallant impress his
lady-love favorably when his horse is making a fool of itself?

While Nigger and Snowball (John's horse was white) were engaged in
disentangling themselves from one of these snarls, the other riders went
ahead. Finding John was not immediately behind, they halted and turned
to watch him get his two steeds straightened out and going again.

All was serene once more and Snowball started briskly up the trail, but
unfortunately, she went about a tree on one side of the trail while
Nigger insisted upon choosing the other side. Both were suddenly yanked
up when the tie-rope tautened about the tree, so that John was almost
thrown out of the saddle. Neither beast would give in but tugged
stubbornly to make the other waive his right of way, until finally, John
had to jump down again, and compel Snowball to walk back and around the
tree on the right side, where the burro waited.

Nigger stood with neck stretched and his mouth half-open, while his eyes
gleamed impishly. John roared at the expression on the burro's face, as
true to a malicious grin as ever a human could produce it. Then they
resumed the climb.

But Nigger had found a new way to tantalize Snowball. He would step upon
a stone and allow it to trip him. This would make his pack strike the
tree on the side he rolled. Then the tree, resisting the impact, would
slew him back again. Naturally, every time he performed this way,
Snowball was unceremoniously yanked up too, and this sudden stopping
interfered with John's conversation with Anne.

After Polly had laughed herself weak over Nigger's clever performances,
she called to John. "No use! You'll have to give Nig his freedom! He'll
land Snowball in kingdom come if you keep him tied."

So wise little Nigger was freed once more, and thereafter he walked as
circumspectly as any good burro should. But the going was better, too,
with the trail running through miles and miles of dark green forests,
patterned here and there with golden stretches of mesa and parks.

"Are you sure you know the trail, Polly?" asked John, as he gazed about
at the unfamiliar path.

"Oh, yes, I've gone this way lots of times when Mr. Montresor lived in
the cabin where Carew's men are now camping."

"Well, if it is much farther, then I say we'd best halt for something to
eat."

"I will second that motion whether it is far or near. We had best have a
bite, as we will have to wait for the crew's dinner-time when we a