After that he dug heels into the sand and hung on.

Memory resurrected for his need certain choice phrases coined in times of stress for the ears of burros alone.

Luxury and civilization and fifty-five thousand dollars and a wife were as if they had never been.

He was Casey Ryan, the prospector, fighting a stubborn donkey all over a desert slope.

He led it conquered back to the Ford, tied it to a wheel and lifted off the four canteens, gratified with their weight and hoping there were more on the other burro.