uncle's family, and then at Crippy, to make sure he was following, when
half a dozen boys, who had been watching the singular pair from the
opposite side of the street, made a sudden dash at the goose.

The first intimation Dan had that his pet was in danger was when he
heard the shouts of the boys, followed by Crippy's angry hiss, and the
flapping of his wings. Quickly turning, Dan saw the goose closely
pressed by the boys, all of whom were trying to catch him; and some of
whom already had one or more feathers as trophies.

It did not take Dan many moments to catch his pet up in his arms, and
then he stood ready to do battle for the goose, while the city boys
advanced towards him, threateningly.

There could have been but one result to such a battle, where six boys
attacked one who was hampered in his movements by the goose, and some
serious injury might have been done to both Dan and Crippy, had not a
policeman come from around the corner just at that instant. Dan's
assailants fled at the sight of the officer, and the country boy, with
his heavy, noisy burden, continued on his journey.

There was no further interruption for nearly an hour; for when Dan
carried the goose in his arms he was by no means the object of
curiosity he was with Crippy following him. At the expiration of that
time it dawned upon him that in a place as large as New York it was
useless for him to walk around in the hope of meeting his uncle, or any
of his family.

"I declare, I don't know what to do, Crippy," he said, as he seated
himself on a doorstep with the goose by his side, and looked mournfully