Billy Whiskers | Page 8

you have him for three dollars
cash and your hunting knife with a package of cigarettes thrown in."
"All right, it's a go!" said Mike. So Mike took hold of Billy's rope and
led him into his yard and thus Billy changed hands once more and
became the property of Mike O'Hara.
[Illustration]

Billy Gives the Boys a Ducking in the Mill Pond
When Mike O'Hara became the possessor of Billy Whiskers he felt as
proud as a peacock, for he knew he had made a good bargain and got
the best of Tim Rooney for once in his life, and this pleased him
mightily as Tim generally got the best of him in a trade.
When he reached his own yard, he called over the fence for Tim to
come and see what Billy and Nanny would do when they first saw each
other. Tim accepted the invitation with alacrity and jumped over the
fence just in time to see Nanny walk out of the shed, as they thought to
make the acquaintance of Billy for the first time.
"Now is my chance," thought Billy, "to kiss her, and she can't make a
fuss before the boys." So up he walked and kissed her straight on the
mouth. Nanny was so surprised that she gave him a startled look,
turned her back and walked into the shed again.
"How is that for a cold snub!" said Tim. "Let us harness them together
and see what they will do."
"All right," said Mike, "if you will help me make a harness for Billy. I
have one for Nanny already."
The two set to work and in an hour had made a harness for Billy out of
old leather straps and strings, and then they commenced to harness
them to the little cart made out of a packing box set on wheels.

The goats bleated and squirmed, wiggled and bucked, but nothing
dismayed the boys and they kept on until the two goats were harnessed
up tight and strong to the cart, and then the fun began.
Mike jumped in and took up the reins and Tim followed after, and out
of the yard and down the road they went, sending a cloud of dust after
them.
From all sides went up the cry: "Look at Mike O'Hara, he has got a new
goat!" And from front-yard, back-yard and sand-pile flocked the
children to see the fun.
All went well for a quarter of a mile, when Tim, tired of running on
behind, jumped in with Mike. Billy felt the additional weight in a
minute and he bleated to Nanny that he would be switched if he would
pull Tim Rooney, the boy who sold him so cheaply.
"You will have to," said Nanny.
"No, I won't," said Billy. "You just watch and see what I will do! But
you must promise to do quickly what I tell you to, or I can't do it,
because I am hitched up with you; so, Nanny, you will have to follow
me and not pull back."
"All right," said Nanny, "I will do whatever you tell me to."
"Very well. Do you see that pond ahead?"
"Yes," answered Nanny.
"Now go slowly until we get within ten feet of it; then take a long
breath and run straight into the water as far as you can go. Don't stop or
turn to right or left no matter how hard they pull or scream. Keep right
on and we will give Mr. Tim a ducking he won't forget. I'll teach him to
stay out of any cart I am pulling!"
They were now ten feet from the pond and Billy gave Nanny the signal
call, and with one accord both goats put down their heads and

commenced to pull and run for dear life. At first the boys thought it
great fun going so fast and neither suspected what the goats were up to,
until Billy gave a quick turn and into the water they went before either
boy could jump out.
The water was cold and deep and both boys took hold of the reins to try
to stop the goats or make them turn round but to no use; on they went
until only the heads of the boys were seen sticking out of the water and
both goats were swimming. When they got in Billy enjoyed the wetting
he was giving the boys so much, that he did not stop when he had wet
their feet, but told Nanny to keep on until they were drenched to the
skin.
While they were swimming, Billy said to Nan:
"I am tired of this, beside when we get to shore the boys will pound us
for ducking them in the pond, so as soon