ked you how you would like a donkey, instead of a horse, meaning,
in fact, to ask if Fodder would, for the time, answer your warlike and
gallant purposes? If so, my dear fellow, I'll lend him to you--Tom can
go back to the farm in the wagon--it comes and goes every day."

Tom looked at Mr. Jinks' legs, scratched his head, and grinning from
ear to ear, added the assurance that he was rather pleased to get rid
of Fodder, who was too small for a man of his weight.

Mr. Jinks received these propositions and assurances, at first, with a
shake of the head: he really could not deprive, etc.; then he looked
dubious; then he regarded Fodder with admiration and affection; then
he assented to Ralph's arrangement, and put his arm affectionately
around Fodder's neck.

"I love that animal already!" cried the enthusiastic Mr. Jinks.

Ralph turned aside to laugh.

"That is highly honorable, Jinks, my boy," he said; "there's no trait
of character more characteristic of a great and exalted intellect,
than kindness to animals."

"You flatter me, sir."

"Never--I never flatter. Now, Tom," continued Ralph to the negro,"
return homeward, and inform my dear old Governor that, next week,
I shall return, temporarily, to make preparations for my marriage.
Further, relate to him the fate of Fodder--go, sir."

And throwing Tom, who grinned and laughed, a piece of silver, Ralph
turned again to Jinks.

"Do you like Fodder?" he said.

"I consider him the paragon of donkeys," returned Mr. Jinks.

And, hugging the donkey's neck--"Eh, Fodder?" said Jinks.

Fodder turned a sleepy looking eye, which was covered with the broad,
square leather of the wagon-bridle, toward Mr. Jinks, and regarded
that gentleman with manifest curiosity. Then shaking his head, lowered
it again, remonstrating with his huge ears against the assaults of the
flies.

"He likes you already! he admires and respects you, Jinks!" cried
Ralph, bursting into a roar of laughter; "a ride! a ride! mount, sir!"

"Is he vicious?" asked Mr. Jinks.

"Hum! he _has_ been known to--to--do dreadful things!" said Ralph,
choking.

Mr. Jinks drew back.

"But he won't hurt you--just try."

"Hum! I'd rather test his character first," said Mr. Jinks; "of course
I'm not afraid; it would be unnecessary for me to prove that, sir--I
wear a sword--"

"Oh, yes?"

"But dangerous accidents have frequently resulted from--"

"Donkeys? you are right. But suppose I mount with you!" said Ra