He had barely time to descend into a hollow and ascend the
adjoining swell of the prairie, before he heard, or fancied he heard,
his name shouted, in good English, from the throats of twenty Tetons.
The delusion gave a new impulse to his ardour; and no professor of the
saltant art ever applied himself with greater industry, than the
naturalist now used his heels on the ribs of Asinus. The conflict
endured for several minutes without interruption, and to all
appearances it might have continued to the present moment, had not the
meek temper of the beast become unduly excited. Borrowing an idea from
the manner in which his master exhibited his agitation, Asinus so far
changed the application of his own heels, as to raise them
simultaneously with a certain indignant flourish into the air, a
measure that instantly decided the controversy in his favour. Obed
took leave of his seat, as of a position no longer tenable,
continuing, however, the direction of his flight, while the ass, like
a conqueror, took possession of the field of battle, beginning to crop
the dry herbage, as the fruits of victory.
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