“We travel with mules because horses’ legs will break in these mountains. A mule descending a slope in darkness will never step false. In extremity a mule will lead us to water, while a horse will wander in circles and die. We can sell these beasts if we need cash, or trade them, or eat them should we become desperate. And they’re good company. See how attached these two have become to us already? You lead yours by its halter no longer, nor do I. We have stopped hobbling them at night. They will not abandon us, believe me, even under fire.”
