On passing under a group of fine fig-trees, nothing would suit him but he must stand upon his mule's saddle in order to reach some of the fruit.
As he was still not high enough to do this, he made a spring up and caught one of the lower branches, to which he clung.
Suddenly the mule, we know not from what cause, bolted from underneath, leaving the luckless orphan suspended.
Mr. Figgins soon relinquished the search in his anxiety for his own safety.
He saw beneath him a descent of some ten feet, and at the bottom a dense bed of stinging nettles.
How was he to get down?
Dropping was out of the question, for it would be like a leap into certain torture.
However, Harkaway called out to him to hold on, but not so loudly as Figgins bawled all the while for help.
Meanwhile, Bogey and Tinker had started after the escaped mule, which they found some difficulty in capturing.
When it was at length secured, the animal was placed in his former position under the tree, and firmly held by the two negroes.