"May I stay here for the night?" asked the Merchant.
"By all means," said the Miller, "if you pay me well."
The Merchant thought this rather mean; because in those days a stranger was made welcome everywhere without paying anything. However, he made the best of it, and came in. The Miller led off his mule to the stable.
"Please take care of my mule," said the Merchant; "I have still a long way to go."
"The Merchant was much dismayed."
"Oh," said the Miller, "your mule will be all right." Then he rubbed him down and fed him.
In the morning the Merchant asked for his mule.
"I am very sorry," said the Miller; "he must have got loose last night, and I can't find him anywhere."
The Merchant was much dismayed. He went out to look for himself, and there, to be sure, was his mule, tied by the halter to the mill.