Mr. Loudon lent one horse, old Selim, a big brown fellow, who was very
good at pulling when he felt in the humor. Tom could bring no horse; for
his father did not care to lend his horses for such a purpose. He was
afraid they might get their legs broken; and, strange as it seemed to
the boys, most of the neighbors appeared to have similar notions. Horses
were very hard to borrow that Friday afternoon. But a negro man, named
Isaac Waddell, agreed to hire them his horse Hector, for fifty cents for
the day; and the storekeeper, after much persuasion, lent a big gray
mule, Grits by name. There was another mule in the village, which the
boys could have if they wanted her; but they did not want her--that is,
if they could get anything else with four legs that would do to go in
their team. This was Polly, a little mule, belonging to Mrs. Dabney, who
kept the post-office. Polly was not only very little in size, but she
was also very little given to going. She did not particularly object to
a walk, if it were not too long, and would pull a buggy or carry a man
with great complacency, but she seldom indulged in trotting. It was of
no use to whip her. Her skin was so thick, or so destitute of feeling,
that she did not seem to take any notice of a good hard crack. Polly was
not a favorite, but she doubtless had her merits, although no one knew
exactly what they were. Perhaps the best thing that could be said about
her was, that she did not take up much room.

But, on Saturday, it was evident that Polly would have to be taken, for
no animal could be obtained in her place.

So, soon after breakfast, the team was collected in Mr. Loudon's
back-yard, and harnessed to the sled. Besides the three negroes who had
been hired, there were seven volunteers--some big and some little--who
were very willing to work for nothing, if they might have a ride on the
sled. The harness was not the best in the world; some of it was leather,