The Boneless King

　　TRAVELLING through the sage-brush country a Jackass met a rabbit,

　　who exclaimed in great astonishment:

　　"Good heavens! how did you grow so big? You are doubtless the

　　largest rabbit living."

　　"No," said the Jackass, "you are the smallest donkey."

　　After a good deal of fruitless argument the question was referred

　　for decision to a passing Coyote, who was a bit of a demagogue and

　　desirous to stand well with both.

　　"Gentlemen," said he, "you are both right, as was to have been

　　expected by persons so gifted with appliances for receiving

　　instruction from the wise. You, sir," - turning to the superior

　　animal - "are, as he has accurately1 observed, a rabbit. And you" -

　　to the other - "are correctly described as a jackass. In

　　transposing your names man has acted with incredible folly2."

　　They were so pleased with the decision that they declared the

　　Coyote their candidate for the Grizzly3 Bearship; but whether he

　　ever obtained the office history does not relate.