d.

Almost at the same moment the two pursuers grasped the mule's rein on
either side and drew their own, with the result that with the bell
ringing still loudly, three animals were going along swiftly close
abreast, but moment by moment becoming more and more under control,
Skeeter the calmest of all, for he acted as if he felt comparatively
safe with a stout cob pressing against each side.

The rest of the mules were still galloping, but Skeeter led, and his
behaviour began to influence his companions to such an extent that as
they grew farther from the object of their alarm the kicking and
plunging gradually subsided. The effort of going full speed under loads
generally carried at a walk began to tell, and at the end of half-a-mile
all were under control and following their bell-bearing leader, till
Skeeter was checked, no serpents were in view, and the controllers of
the wild race sat panting upon their mustangs, ready to round up any
mule which made a fresh start, and every living thing panting from their
late exertions, the bipeds eagerly calculating the damage that had been
done.

"Sit fast," cried the doctor, "and be ready in case they make a fresh
dash. Griggs! Chris! splendid; but keep fast hold of that bell-mule's
rein."

"Got him tight, father," cried Chris.

"Same here, doctor," panted Griggs. "He'll have to leave his head
behind this time if he tries to make a start. Say, Squire Ned," he
continued to the boy, who now joined him, "you were grumbling about
having no adventures. What do you say to this for a regular red-hot
one, quite noo out of nature's oven?"

"Oh, I don't know," cried Ned excitedly. "Do you think the rattlesnakes
will pursue us?"

"No that I don't, my lad; but I say, doctor, just look."

The leader was already gazing back over the ground they had covered, to
see that it was dotted with packs and various odds and ends sent flying
from the mules' loads, from a tin cross-handled kettle to bags of meal
and a great elongated roll which represented the tent.

The doctor groaned, for there lay the scattered objects in sight, while
how many lay beyond his ken he was afraid to think.

Of course he felt that they could be collected again, and that they were
not of a nature to have suffered much damage, but it would probably be
the beginning of another stampede to force any of the animals back along
a track infested by serpents, and a task that would try the nerves of
the stoutest