iddle of the rope to
hang loose in a curve. Well, then they take a gander and pick his neck
as clean as a babby's, and then grease it most beautiful all the way
from the breast to the head, till it becomes as slippery as a soaped
eel. Then they tie both his legs together with a strong piece of cord,
of the size of a halyard, and hang him by the feet to the middle of the
swingin' rope, with his head downward. All the youngsters, all round the
county, come to see the sport, mounted a horseback.

"'Well, the owner of the goose goes round with his hat, and gets so much
a-piece in it from every one that enters for the "Pullin';" and when all
have entered, they bring their hosses in a line, one arter another; and
at the words, 'Go ahead!' off they set, as hard as they can split; and
as they pass under the goose, make a grab at him; and whoever carries
off the head, wins.

"'Well, the goose dodges his head and flaps his wings, and swings about
so, it ain't no easy matter to clutch his neck; and when you do, it's so
greasy, it slips right through the fingers, like, nothin'. Sometimes it
takes so long, that the hosses are fairly beat out, and can't scarcely
raise a gallop; and then a man stands by the post, with a heavy loaded
whip, to lash 'em on, so that they mayn't stand under the goose, which
ain't fair. The whoopin', and hollerin', and screamin', and bettin',
and excitement, beats all; there ain't hardly no sport equal to it. It's
great fun _to all except the poor goosey-gander_.

"'The game of colony government to Canady, for some years back, puts me
in mind of that exactly. Colonist has had his heels put where his head
used to be, this some time past. He has had his legs tied, and his neck
properly greased, I tell _you_; and the way every parliament man, and
governor, and secretary, gallops round and round, one arter another, a
grabbin' at poor colonist, ain't no matter. Every new one on 'em that
comes, is confident he is a goin' to settle it; but it slips through his
hand, and off he goes, properly larfed at.

"'They have pretty nearly fixed goosey colonist, though; he has got his
neck wrung several times; it's twisted all a one side, his tongue hangs
out, and he squeaks piteous, that's a fact. Another good grab or two
will put him out o' pain; and it's a pity it wouldn't, for no created
critter can live long, turned wrong eend up, that way. But the sport
will last long arter that; for arter his neck is broke, it ain'