Part 6 (2/2)
There were five mules in the pack driven out for their exa about in a circle with heads well down, trailing each other as if following a regular routine
”Fine young stock, hardy and true and quick,” said the owner, rubbing his palether
”We don't want any quick one We've had some experience with the quick kind,” declared Stacy Brown ”They were so quick I couldn't get out of the way of their heels No, siree, no quick mules for mine”
”I don't think you need worry much about these,” smiled Tad ”How much do you ask for those fellows?”
”How many?”
”Two I to take ive that for the lot of the this bargain,” rebuked Ned, giving the fat boy a poke in the ribs
Tad made a brief calculation on a slip of paper, then he looked up severely
”Five ponies at seventy-five dollars would amount to three hundred and seventy-five dollars Twoa total of four hundred and fifty-five dollars,” said Butler
”I'll tell you what I will do I will give you an even four hundred for the five ponies I have picked out and the two eous!” exploded the owner ”Why, those mules are worth half of the price you offer for the whole outfit”
”Nonsense! Those mules have been used on crushers in thethem mill about in a circle--”
”Five hundred dollars,” broke in the owner
”Nothing doing, sir,” answered Tad ”Four hundred even”
”I'll make it four-fifty-five and not a cent less”
”Coet a better lot for the money, anyway,” declared Tad with a note of finality in his tone
”Don't I get my skate?” wailed Chunky
”Not at the price he asks Neverbetter for the ot slowly down from the fence and follohile the owner of the stock stood ht as well give the the you a hundred dollars more than the outfit is worth Here is your et the stock out some tiain I ever come up with,” protested the man
”You know you don'tabout horses you know you would have done us to a turn,” answered Tad, laughing
”Yes, I do believe in driving a bargain, but I wouldn't ask aat a lower price than it orth Just keep these anio to the bother of cutting therinned Chunky as they alking back towards the hotel where they were to iven Butler thefull well that Tad could ain than could he Tad had ood lot of stock and he planned, further their journey, which would reduce the cost at least to a no supplies and packing The boys had brought their saddles, bridles and other equiphter cauide, but without success They were told that no doubt they would be able to find a man for their purpose upon their arrival at Yakutat, a hundred miles further on The trail to that place, their informant told them, was a post trail which they would find no difficulty in following The post rider would not be going through for another three days, and at any rate he undoubtedly would travel faster than they cared to do It was decided, therefore, that they should start out without a guide on the ht