the
rails in an instant, took the end of the rope which he passed to them,
put it once round the gallows-post, and pulled-pulled like sailors.
Dad hung on close to the cow's head, while Joe kicked her with his bare
foot and screwed her tail.

"Steady!" said Dad, "that'll about do." Then, turning to the women as
he mounted a rail and held the axe above the cow's head: "Hang on
there now!" They closed their eyes and sat back. The cow was very
patient. Dad extended himself for a great effort, but hesitated. Joe
called out: "L-l-ook out th' axe dud-dud-don't fly and gug-gug-get me,
Dad!" Dad glanced quickly at it, and took aim again. Down it came,
whish! But the cow moved, and he only grazed her cheek. She bellowed
and pulled back, and Mother and Sal groaned and let the rope go. The
cow swung round and charged Joe, who was standing with his mouth open.
But only a charge of shot could catch Joe; he mounted the rails like a
cat and shook his hat at the beast below.

After Dad had nearly brained her with a rail the cow was dragged to the
post again; and this time Dad made no mistake. Down she dropped, and,
before she could give her last kick, all of us entered the yard and
approached her boldly. Dad danced about excitedly, asking for the long
knife. Nobody knew where it was. "DAMN it, where is it?" he cried,
impatiently. Everyone flew round in search of it but Joe. HE was
curious to know if the cow was in milk. Dad noticed him; sprang upon
him; seized him by the shirt collar and swung him round and trailed him
through the yard, saying: "Find me th' knife; d' y' HEAR?" It seemed
to sharpen Joe's memory, for he suddenly remembered having stuck it in
one of the rails.

Dad bled the beast, but it was late before he had it skinned and
dressed. When the carcase was hoisted to the gallows--and it seemed
gruesome enough as it hung there in the pallid light of the moon, with
the night birds dismally wailing like mourners from the lonely
trees--we went home and had supper.

Christmas Eve. Mother and Sal had just finished papering the walls,
and we were busy decorating the place with green boughs, when Sandy and
Kate, in their best clothes--Kate seated behind a well-filled
pillow-slip strapped on the front of her saddle; Sandy with the baby in
front of him--came jogging along the lane. There was commotion!
Everything was thrown aside to receive them. They were surrounded at
the slip-rails, and when they got do