The first time they put the full harness with all its chains on my back I stood on my forelegs and kicked every bit of it off . I had n't learned the real science of kicking then , but the battery said they had never seen anything like it . '' `` But this was n't harness or anything that jingled , '' said the young mule . `` You know I do n't mind that now , Billy . It was Things like trees , and they fell up and down the lines and bubbled ; and my head-rope broke , and I could n't find my driver , and I could n't find you , Billy , so I ran off with -- with these gentlemen . '' `` H 'm ! '' said Billy . `` As soon as I heard the camels were loose I came away on my own account . When a battery -- a screw-gun mule calls gun-bullocks gentlemen , he must be very badly shaken up . Who are you fellows on the ground there ? '' The gun bullocks rolled their cuds , and answered both together : `` The seventh yoke of the first gun of the Big Gun Battery . We were asleep when the camels came , but when we were trampled on we got up and walked away . It is better to lie quiet in the mud than to be disturbed on good bedding . We told your friend here that there was nothing to be afraid of , but he knew so much that he thought otherwise . Wah ! '' They went on chewing . `` That comes of being afraid , '' said Billy . `` You get laughed at by gun-bullocks . I hope you like it , young un . '' The young mule 's teeth snapped , and I heard him say something about not being afraid of any beefy old bullock in the world .
But the XXXXX only clicked their horns together and went on chewing .
Battery Billy Wah bullock bullocks cuds first forelegs gun-bullocks seventh