Bart braced his feet apart and stood ready
to grab the beast.
But he reckoned without the ladder, which had become loose from the
fastenings and was now resting evenly on the donkey's back, sticking
straight out ahead like a long spear. It was this double-pointed lance
that was aimed at Bart, and the donkey's head was fifteen feet back of
it. Bart saw that he could not grasp the bridle.
Right at him came the donkey, braying as though in glee at the trick he
had played. To avoid being impaled on the ladder ends Bart had to jump to
one side. Standing in the bushes that were along the trail, he reached
forward and tried to grasp the swaying halter rope that was fastened to
the donkey's head. But the beast avoided him and ran on.
"Grab the end of the ladder and hold him!" shouted Bart to Ned, who was
still in the rear.
Ned and Frank both tried. They managed to catch hold of the swaying end
nearest them, but the donkey had more strength than they supposed. They
were dragged along through the mud, and water, and then, as the animal
turned suddenly, they were flung to one side.
"There he goes," exclaimed Ned ruefully as the animal disappeared around
the bend.
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