The mule, on getting free, started over the ridge as though she had been fired from a cannon--while Poker and Uker, taking the hint from their companion, broke their tethers at the same instant, and followed at a like rate of speed. I returned to Hiram, and communicated the unpleasant intelligence: that the mules had stampeded. "That's a very foolish remark," said he, "for you know I'm not deaf." This answer did not fall very graciously on my ear; but having made up my mind, to remain in good humour with my companion as long as possible, I pretended not to notice it. I simply said in reply, that I thought there must either be a grizzly bear, or Indians, near us--to have stampeded the mules. "Of course thar is," said Hiram, in a tone more harsh than I had ever before heard him use. I fancied that he was foolish enough to blame me for the loss of the mules; and was a little vexed with him, for the way in which he had answered me. I said nothing more; but, stepping aside I bandaged up my fingers, and tried to obtain a little sleep. At sunrise I got up; and, having first dressed my wounded fingers, I kindled a fire, and made some coffee. "Come, Hiram!" said I, in an encouraging tone, "turn out, mate! We may have a hard day's work in looking for the mules; but no doubt we'll find them all right." "Find them yourself," he answered. "I shan't look for them." I had much difficulty in controlling my temper, and restraining myself from giving Hiram an uncourteous reply. To avoid subjecting myself to any more of his ill-natured speeches, I returned to the fire, and ate my breakfast alone. While engaged in this operation, I pondered in my own mind what was best to be done. It ended by my coming to the determination to go in search of my mule Monte; and, having found her, to return to my partners on the Yuba. I felt certain, that should I attempt farther to prosecute the expedition along with Hiram, and he continue to make the disagreeable observations of which he had already given me a sample, there would certainly be a row between us. In some parts of the world, where people think themselves highly enlightened, two men getting angry with one another, and using strong language, is not an unusual occurrence; and very seldom results in anything, more than both proving themselves snarling curs. But it is not so in California, where men become seriously in earnest--often over trifling affairs; and had a row taken place between my comrade and myself, I knew that only one story would have been told concerning it. I finished my breakfast; and, leaving Hiram in his blankets, I started off over the ridge to find Monte. I searched for the mules about six hours; and having been unsuccessful in my search, I returned to the camp without them. Hiram was still wrapped up in his blanket, just as I had left him; and then the truth suddenly flashed into my dark mind, like lightning over a starless sky. Hiram was ill, and I had neglected him!