o weah a big pink hat wid yaller feathers.
'At's how you knows her. You sees me an' mah mascot when us swings pas'
de gran' stan'. Ah'll be follerin' de Supreem Leader. He be ridin' a
mule."

The Wildcat spent the next half hour festooning his mascot goat with
raiment appropriate for the grand march. Lily's O.D. service coat was
brightened with a red tissue paper sash. The Wildcat sewed a turkey
wing fan to the mascot's overseas cap and wired the gaudy combination
securely in place between Lily's horns.

"Hot dam! I says you parades." For himself he borrowed a few things
which lay here and there in the trunk room of Captain Jack's house. He
stowed his own paraphernalia in a gunnysack. Leading Lily, he made his
way to the neighbour's woodshed wherein was stabled the overgrown
night-braying mule.

"Gimme dis heah mule, boy--an' a saddle," he said to the brunet
guardian of the neighbour's mule. "I needs him temporary."

"How come?"

"I craves him fo' de Culled Heroes' Parade. Some day I gives you two
bits does you lend him half a day. All he does in heah is eat you po'
an' wake folks up."

"Whah at's de two bits?" The exchange was effected, and presently,
leading the mule and the festooned mascot, the Wildcat arrived at the
rendezvous in front of Willie Webster's establishment. He tethered the
mule to a hitching post and led Lily into the barber shop.

"How come de goat?" one of the assemblage questioned.

"See dem stripes? Lily went th'oo more battles dan you has sense. F'm
now on, whah at I is, Lily is. Bible says, 'Whah at de goat, dere is Ah
also goat.' Stan' up heah, Lily."

The mascot was vainly endeavouring to eat the feathers from the top of
her own head.

"Ca'm yo'se'f. Whah at's de Supreem Parade Leadeh?"

Honey Tone Boone stepped out of the adjoining room. "'At you, Wildcat?
Whah at's mah steed?"

"Hitched outdoors. Sho' is rarin' to go. Parade-leadinest mule Ah eveh
see."

Honey Tone took a look through the window at his conspicuous mount.
"Sure looms up. How come de goat?"

"'At goat's mah pussonal luck."

Honey Tone looked sideways at the Wildcat. "Does yo' feel like backin'
yo' luck wid a jingle, mebbe I 'bliges yo' sudden. Dey's a racetrack in
de back room does you crave to gallop yo' luck a couple of heats."

The Wildcat accepted the challenge. The pair walked quickly into the
back room.

"Shoots a dollah!" He explored himself for silver and revised his
challenge. "Shoots fifty cent