“Say, do you folks want to buy a good mule cheap?”
“Buy a mule,” repeated the lawyer, somewhat puzzled.
“Yes. This man has one to sell, and it might be a good plan for us to have an extra one.”
“I never thought of that,” said the lawyer. “It might be a good plan. Let’s go up and see about it, Neale.”
“Let’s all go,” proposed Agnes. “It will rest us to walk along the towpath.”
The Bluebird was near shore and there was no difficulty in getting to the path. Then all save Mrs. MacCall, who preferred to remain on board, walked up toward the two men and the three mules.
The man who had stopped Hank was a rough-looking character, but many towpath men were that, and little was thought of it at the time.
“Do you folks want to buy a good mule?” he asked. “I’ll sell him cheap,” he went on. “I had a team, but the other died on me.”
“I’m not much of an authority on mules,” said Mr. Howbridge slowly. “What do you say, Neale? Would you advise purchasing this animal if he is a bargain?”
Neale did not answer. He was carefully looking at the mule, which stood near the other two.