But suppose I mount with you!" said Ralph,
who had fallen into one of his mischievous moods.
"Hum! sir--will he carry double, do you think?"
"Carry double! He'd carry a thousand--Fodder would! Just get into
the saddle, and I'll put my handkerchief on his back, and mount
behind--I'll guide him. Come!"
And Ralph, with a suppressed chuckle, pushed Mr. Jinks toward the
saddle.
Mr. Jinks looked round--cleared his throat--glanced at the expression
of the donkey's eyes--and endeavored to discover from the movement of
his ears if he was vicious. Fodder seemed to be peaceful--Mr. Jinks
got into the saddle, his grasshopper legs reaching nearly to the
ground.
"Now!" cried Ralph, vaulting behind him, "now for a ride!"
And seizing the reins, before Mr. Jinks could even get his feet into
the stirrups, the young man kicked the donkey vigorously, and set off
at a gallop.
Mr. Jinks leaned forward in the saddle with loud cries, balancing
himself by the pummel, and holding on to the mane.
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