A little later Russ, Rose and the others came within sight of the place where Captain Ben's car had gone into the ditch. The children saw their father and Captain Ben approaching a crowd of men, who surrounded the car.
"What'd I tell you?" cried Tad. "Some thieves are trying to take your auto!"
"It does look so," agreed Russ, for certainly there was quite a throng about the machine, and all the men seemed much excited.
Suddenly, however, the crowd about the stalled car parted, and out from among them ran a mule, who brayed loudly and kicked up his heels as though he were having a good time.
"Oh, look! Look!" cried Vi. "Look at the funny mule!"
"He's a circus mule!" added Laddie. "See him kick up his heels! I could think of a funny riddle about him if I had time!"
"What do you s'pose is the matter?" asked Rose. "Were they trying to make the mule do some tricks, Russ?"
"I guess the mule did tricks without any making," her brother answered. "Oh, look at him kick up his heels!"
Indeed the canal animal was flying around in a circle, every now and then rising up on his forefeet and letting fly with his hind ones, and the men took good care to keep out of his way.
Then, with a loud bray, the mule started over toward the canal bank, and one of the men followed him, shouting to the animal to stop.