cheeks. "If I'd 'a' knowed you'd have to get down in a hole and work so hard I wouldn't 'a' hit the horses," he said.
"Never you mind, Billy," said Sinton. "You will know next time, so you can think over it, and make up your mind whether you really want to before you strike."
Sinton went to the barn to put away the tools. He thought Billy was at his heels, but the boy lagged on the way. A big snowy turkey gobbler resented the small intruder in his especial preserves, and with spread tail and dragging wings came at him threateningly. If that turkey gobbler had known the sort of things with which Billy was accustomed to holding his own, he never would have issued that challenge. Billy accepted instantly. He danced around with stiff arms at his sides and imitated the gobbler. Then came his opportunity, and he jumped on the big turkey's back. Wesley heard Margaret's scream in time to see the flying leap and admire its dexterity. The turkey tucked its tail and scampered. Billy slid from its back and as he fell he clutched wildly, caught the folded tail, and instinctively hung on for life. The turkey gave one scream and relaxed its muscles. Then it fled in disfigured defeat to the haystack. Billy scrambled to his feet holding the tail, and his eyes were bulging.
"Why, the blasted old thing came off!" he said to Sinton, holding out the tail in amazed wonder.
Sinton, caught suddenly, forgot everything and roared. Seeing which, Billy thought a turkey tail of no account
