among them. Some of the boys were frightened and started to retreat.
"It's only a mule!" cried Dave. "I don't think he'll hurt anybody. But how in the world did he get here?"
"His halter is broken," declared Roger. "He must have run away from somewhere."
"I know that mule," declared Shadow. "He belongs to Mike Marcy."
The man he mentioned was a farmer, living in the Oakdale district. Marcy was a close-fisted fellow who never wanted the schoolboys to have any of his fruit, and Dave, through no fault of his own, had once had considerable trouble with the fellow.
"I think Shadow is right," said Dave. "I saw that mule around Marcy's place. If he ran away we ought to take him back to where he belongs."
"Perhaps you'd have some fun trying to ride him," suggested Henshaw.
"Oh, pshaw! anybody could ride that mule," declared Roger. "Why, riding a mule is as easy as riding a horse. All mules don't love to kick."
"Roger shall have the honor of riding him home," said Messmer. "Think of what a reward Mike Marcy will give you," he added, with a grin.
"Catch Marcy giving a reward," said Dave,
