"Yes, your honor, I bought the mule, to be delivered at the end of three months. At the end of three months I fell sick; I lay a-bed twelve weeks; I drugged myself to death; I picked up on water-gruel; I got on my legs; and the second day out I went after my little mule." DONKEY-MAN (being plaintiff).--The court will observe that three months and twelve weeks make six months. The Judge nods acquiescence. LEONARD.--Agreed. They make six months. I went then after my little mule, a delicate creature, not larger than a large ass, that I had picked out expressly for my little wagon. I went, as I said, to see my little mule. And what does the man show me? A great, yellow jackass, high in the hips, with a big belly, that would be sure to split the shafts of my carriage! I said to him, "M. Galoupeau, this is not my little mule, and I sha'n't pay you." GALOUPEAU (_plaintiff_).--And what did I say? LEONARD.--You swore it was my mule. GALOUPEAU.--I said better than that: I said I couldn't constrain the nature of the beast, and hinder a little mule from growing large. LEONARD.--But mine was a blond, and yours is yellow. GALOUPEAU.--Simply another effect of nature! And I have seen a little black ass foal turn white at three months old! LEONARD.--Do you think I have filled casks so long, not to know that red wine is red, and white wine, white. GALOUPEAU.--I don't know. I don't understand the nature of wines; but donkeys--yes. JUDGE (_to the defendant_).--So you refuse to take the mule? LEONARD.--I rather think so--a mule like a camel, and such a ferocious character, that he came within an ace of taking my life! JUDGE.--You will please to make good this point of the injuries sustained. LEONARD.--The thing is easy. This M. Galoupeau insisted that I should take a look at his beast, and brought him out of the stable. The animal made off like a mad thing, and came near killing all the poultry. Then M. Galoupeau, who professes to know his habits, followed him up to the bottom of the yard, spoke gently to him, and after getting a hand upon his shoulder, called me up. As for myself, I went up confidently. I came near the beast, and just as I was about to reach out my hand for a gentle caress, the brute kicked me in the stomach--such a kick!--Mon Dieu! but here, your Honor, is the certificate--"twelve days a-bed; one hundred and fifty leeches." All that for caressing the brute! GALOUPEAU.--If you were instructed, M. Léonard, in the nature of these beasts, you would understand that they never submit to any flattery from behind; and you know very well that you approached him by the tail.