The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-04-05

or temper. Ring was growing and
barking and tugging at his chain,
doing his best to get loose. Aleck
charged toward him occasionally, and
did not seem to be in the least afraid.
Get out of herep shouted Billy, as
he rushed round the house and threw
a stone at the ram, missing him.
Dick threw one also, with better aim,
for it struck the ram on the side.
Aleck promptly turned his attention
to the new corners.
What took place during the next few
minutes the two boys had only a con.
fused recollection of afterwards. Each
was conscious of being knocked sprawl
ing, and trying to rise, and being
knocked down again. Every time one
OF them started to get on his feet he
was sent rolling over the hard ground.
How the ram managed to move fast
enough to keep both of them down
they were too much excited to observe;
but he did it easily, and would proba-
bly, have kept a third boy down at the
same time IL there had been three.
At last, after being knocked and
rolled some distance, they were near
the stake and riddered fence which en-
closed the large yard. Dick made a
rush on his hands and knees, and sue
ceeded in climbing the fence far enough
to tumble through between the fence
and the rider. Olce on the other side,
he was safe enough.
Billy wa not 80 fortunate. He saw
a large opening between the rails near
the ground, and tried to crawl through
it, but it proved to be too small for a
boy of his size, and he stuck fast, He
called loudly for help, and Dick prompt
ly seized him by the arm and tried to
pull him out Of the crack.
Whether their efforts alone would
have been successful is uncertain; but
the sheep was rendering material as
sistance on the other side. By the
united efforts of Dicks pulling and
Alexis vigorous pushes, Billy was at
last rescued for his exciting position.
With the exception Of a few bruises,
neither of the boys was hurt, but the
appearance Of both indicated the rough
treatment they had received. Dicks
Sunday clothes looked even worse than
Billy's everyday ones. Their hats
had been left On the other side of the
fence.
They looked at each other ruefully
for a few moments; then both began to
laugh.
"AyI didn't he knock US while he
was about it9" said Billy. "It just
made my head swim, the way he kept
us tumbling and rolling"
"Mine too. And he did it so quick.
He didn'tg1ve a fellow time to say scat
before he was right on i'm"
The boys walked round the yard
fence, thro wing stones at the ram and
trying to drive nim out. Aleck, how
ever, showed no inclination to go. He
stalked back and forth across the yard,
perhaps longing for more boys to con
qler. But the two who had just es
capped him had no intention of getting
in his reach again.
WHAT to do they did not know. The
sheep was between them and the only
unlocked entrance to the house.
IF old Ring was just loose once, he'd
soon fix 'im," declared Billy, who be
lieved that Ring could whip anything
but an elephant.
"Couldn't you slip around the house
and get to Ring before Aleck saw
you4"
Don't believe I want to try it" an
swered Billy, as he rubbed one bruised
knee. He had great deal of respect
for Aleck by this time. You can if
you want to-"
Dick didn't want to. "Well, what
are we going to doG' he asked, feeling
that Billy, being at home, should find
some way put of the difficulty.
II don't know" replied Billy,
scratching his head, unless we just
sit down and wait till the old sheep
gets ready to leave"
Dicks face fell. He was thinking of
the pie and fried chicken which BilIy's
mother had spoken of as the wagon
drove eff. Must be nearly two
O'CLOCK" ne remarked, glancing up at
the sun.
Yes, I guess it is. I'm feeling
mighty hungry. How are you3"
I'm half starved" answered Dick,
emphaticalIy, very glad of an oppor-
tunity to mention the matter, which,