que recessional of Black Angus had
vanished, Baldy Pallen set out confidently to capture the wild
gander, James Edward. He seemed to expect to tuck him under his arm
and walk off with him at his ease. Observing this, the Boy looked
around with a solemn wink. Old Billy Smith and the half-dozen
onlookers who had no responsibility in the affair grinned and waited.
As Baldy approached, holding out a hand of placation, and "chucking"
persuasively as if he thought James Edward was a hen, the latter
reared his snaky black head and stared in haughty surprise. Then he
gave vent to a strident hiss of warning. Could it be possible that
this impudent stranger contemplated meddling with him? Yes, plainly it
was possible. It was certain, in fact. The instant he realized this,
James Edward lowered his long neck, darted it out parallel with the
ground, spread his splendid wings, and rushed at Baldy's legs with a
hiss like escaping steam. Baldy was startled and bewildered. His legs
tweaked savagely by the bird's strong, hard bill, and thumped
painfully by the great, battering, windy wings, he sputtered: "Jumpin'
Judas!" in an embarrassed tone, and retreated behind Billy Smith and
the Boy.

A roar of delighted laughter arose as James Edward backed away in
haughty triumph, and strolled carelessly up towards the cabin. There
were cries of "Ketch him quick, Baldy!" "Try a leetle coaxin'!" "Don't
be so rough with the gosling, Baldy!" "Jest whistle to him, an' he'll
folly ye!" But, ignoring these pleasantries, Baldy rubbed his legs and
turned to the Boy for guidance.

"Are you sure you want him now?" inquired the latter.

"Course I want him!" returned Baldy with a sheepish grin. "I'll coax
him round an' make friends with him all right when I git him home. But
how'm I goin' to git him? I'm afeared o' hurtin' him, he seems that
delicate, and his feelin's so sensitive like!"

"We'll have to surround him, kind of. Just wait, boys!" said the Boy.
And running into the cabin, past the deliberate James Edward, he
reappeared with a heavy blanket.

The great gander eyed his approach with contemptuous indifference. He
had come to regard the Boy as quite harmless. When, therefore, the
encumbering folds of the blanket descended, it was too late to resist.
In a moment he was rolled over in the dark, bundled securely, picked
up, and ignominiously tucked under Baldy Pallen's arm.

"Now you've got him, don't let go o' him!" admonished the Boy,
and ami