It would be better a hundred times to ride barebacked." Accordingly the saddles were taken off, the rugs folded and secured on the animals' backs by a rope passed round them, and then the boys again took their seats.
"I hope the brutes are quiet," Jack said, "for I am nothing of a rider at the best of times, and one feels an awful height at the top of these great mules, with one's legs dangling without stirrups." "If you find yourself going, Jack," Hawtry said, "the best thing is to catch hold of his ears.

Come on, let's get out of this.

All the village is staring at us." The mules, upon the reins being jerked, and boys' heels briskly applied to their ribs, moved on at a fast walk.
"We shall have to stop under a tree and cut a stick presently," Hawtry said.

"It will not do to get down, for I should never be able to climb up again.

Mind, we must take our bearings carefully, else we shall never get back again.