Mule stables dotted the route. But the canal company ran out of money as faster railroads stole most of their business, and the C&O Canal never reached Pittsburgh and the Ohio River.
VOA: standard.2010.04.29
A good example to keep in mind is the idea of a mule.
Then, in an instant, the port-side packer throws the hooked end ofthe rope over the mule's starboard side, his partner catches it, turns it round, and a 16-step dance begins.