three men. It trembled with passion only. One
had passed a stout sheet under it. Next moment there was an order to
"hoist away," and the mule went past me, with rigid limbs, high into the
air, whence it was lowered I could not see whither, and disappeared.

Meanwhile the three men went viciously at another animal. They were
unusually strong men, with immense chests, and brawny arms bared to the
shoulders. They panted and perspired freely, and had been severely
dishevelled by their recent struggles.

I saw the dim outline of a mule, in the dark recesses of the hold to
which he had retired, crushing his companions against the bulk-heads of
the ship. He evidently knew that his hour was come.

To this demon Dick advanced with a short rope in his hand. The mule
eyed him with a gleam of malice. Its ears became, if possible, flatter.
Dick made a loop on the rope, and leaning over the breast-high
barricade between him and his adversary made a cast after the manner of
South Americans, but the mule jerked his head aside, and the lasso
missed him. While Dick was preparing for another cast, Tom came up
behind him with a sly motion. The mule observed Tom, let fly both heels
with a tremendous crash on the barrier, and bolted to the other end of
the ship. There Harry met him with a stick, and turned him back whence
he came.

Again Dick advanced, made a successful cast, and drew the noose tight.
For a few moments a perfect shower of kicks was delivered at the barrier
and on the sides of the ship, but the three men did not wait till the
creature was exhausted: they had no time for that. Two of them hauled
the mule's head by main force to the edge of the barrier, the third
leaning far over caught its tail, and instantly drew it broadside on.
It was still some distance from the spot under the hatchway where the
band and tackle were to be attached. Towards this Tom and Dick dragged
the beast by the head, while Harry assisted with the tail. No power on
earth could have made that mule walk! With its ears back and all its
legs planted stiffly forward, it was made to slide in the required
direction by main force. The place of execution reached, Dick jammed
its head against the barrier, Tom hauled its tail taut over the same and
made fast. There was no intentional cruelty in their actions, but
difficult work had to be quickly done, and they could not afford to be
squeamish. Obstinate violence had to be overcome by resolute