"No, no; we don't know anything about donkeys," came a chorus of voices. "We don't want to know anything about donkeys, either."
"Somebody bring me a bridle, then. Don't be afraid of him, he is as gentle as a lamb. You wouldn't hurt a fly, would you, dear January?"
January elevated both hind feet, narrowly missing the groom who had brought the bridle.
After some difficulty the bystanders succeeded in getting the bit between his teeth and the bridle over his head.
"Now, take tight hold of the bridle and lead him. I'll use persuasive measures at the other end," directed Teddy.
January fairly hurled himself forward, jerking the groom off his feet at once. But the man hung on stubbornly.
A moment more, and Teddy had fastened a firm grip on January's tail, not appearing to be in the least afraid of the flying hoofs that were beating a tattoo in the air.
How Teddy did twist that tail! Finally January, in sheer desperation, was forced to give ground. One leap carried him over the gangplank and into the boat. Once within, there was a repetition of the scenes enacted on the dock, except that this time it was the groom who was getting the worst of it, while Teddy sat on the gangway, howling with delight.
At last the donkey was subdued and led to the place where he was to spend the night. But they had to rope him in to prevent his kicking the other stock through the side of the boat.
Fat Marie herself came waddling along about this time, blowing like a miniature steam engine.