William don't mind the saddle at all.

All he hates is anybody in it." Then he grinned wryly because of his hurt.

"No use arguin' with a mule--I used to be too good a walker." Casey therefore traded his riding saddle for another packsaddle, and collected six coal-oil cans which he cleaned carefully.

William was loaded with cans of water, which he seemed to prefer to Casey, though they probably weighed more.

The burros waddled off under their loads of beans, flour, bacon, coffee, lard, and a full set of prospector's tools.