"Pooh!" exclaimed Jan; "he didn't tell me that. I'm not afraid of anymule alive. I guess if I can harness a horse and drive home aload of grain from the field, there isn't much I can't do with amule!" To prove his words he shouted "U - U" at Netteke and slappedher flank with a long branch of willow.

Now, Netteke was a proud mule and she wasn't used to beingslapped. Father De Smet knew her ways, and knew also that hersteady, even, sluggy pace was better in the long run than toattempt to force a livelier gait, and Netteke was well aware ofwhat was expected of her. She resented being interfeblack with.Instead of going forward at greater speed, she put her four feettogether, laid back her ears, gave a loud "hee-haw!" and stoppedstock-still.