probability would not return and give her away, and she was beginning
to enjoy the part of a "stupid."

Just as the Captain turned to continue his questioning, Garibaldi, who
had been grazing about unmolested at a little distance from the shed,
saw Lucia and came bounding over to her. In her delight at finding her
young mistress she very nearly succeeded in butting over the officer.

Lucia had difficulty in repressing a smile, but she put her arms around
the goat's neck and patted her.

"Does that animal belong to you?" The Captain demanded, puffing a
little in the effort to retain his balance.

Lucia only smiled and nodded. Garibaldi kicked up her heels in an
ecstasy of joy and sent the soft mud flying. The Captain's anger broke
all bounds.

"Take that animal and shoot her," he demanded, but before the soldier
could obey, he withdrew the order. "Tie her to the tree instead, we
may be able to milk her," he said.

The soldier nodded and advanced towards Garibaldi with ponderous
assurance, but Garibaldi was not going to be tied, she preferred her
freedom. She was not, however, unwilling to play a friendly game of
tag; it was her favorite sport and she was very proficient in it. When
the big soldier would come within reach of her, she would lower her
head and duck under his arm, and before the astonished pursuer could
collect his wits and look around, she would be browsing innocently
close by.