years
ago?" asked the muleteer.

"You do not understand me, good master," replied the student. "I was
the mule, and the mule was I; now I am I. When you used to kick your
mule, you really kicked me; when you fed it, you fed me; and now, when
you speak to me, you speak to all that remains of your mule. Now do you
understand?"

"I am beginning to perceive," said the muleteer, scratching his head and
looking very sorrowful, "that for your sins you were turned into a mule,
and that for mine, I had the misfortune to purchase you. I always
thought there was something strange about that mule!"

"There is no doubt that we all must put up with the consequences of our
evil ways, and, as you very properly say, you have been punished by the
loss of your mule; but, then, you can rejoice with me, seeing that the
son of the first Grandee in Spain served you in the humble capacity of a
beast of burden, and now is restored to rank and wealth."

"And are you a Grandee of Spain?" anxiously inquired the poor man, "Why,
then, your excellency will never forgive me for the many kicks I have
bestowed on your excellency's sides; and I am a ruined man, for you will
have me punished."

"Not so, kind friend; not so," replied the student, in an assuring
tone; "for how could you tell that your mule was not a mule?"

"Then your excellency will not be revenged on me?" continued the
muleteer. "And if it will be of any consolation to your excellency, I
promise never to divulge this mystery!"

"It will, indeed, be a great comfort to me to think that no one will
know what became of me for so many years," replied the student. "And now
I must bid you good-bye, for I am in a hurry to again embrace my dear
parents if they be still living."

"Good-bye," said the muleteer, with emotion; "and may your excellency
never again incur the displeasure of Mother Church."

Thus they parted good friends; the muleteer pondering over what he
termed the mysteries of life, and Juan Rivas full of delight at the
thought of rejoining his companions, and having a good supper with the
proceeds of the mule, which pleasure was not denied him and his friends.

In a fortnight's time there was a cattle fair in the neighbourhood of
Tuy, and as the muleteer required to replace the mule he had so
mysteriously lost, he attended the fair, and was looking about him for
a serviceable mule, when an acquaintance called out to him to know why
he had parted with the other one.

"I