CONTENTS
　　I。THEWATERGOATS
　　II。MR。BILLINGS’SPOCKETS
　　III。OURFIRSTBURGLAR
　　I
　　THEWATERGOATS
　　"Andthen，"saidthelandscapegardener，combinghissilky，pointedbeardgentlywithhislong，artisticfingers，"inthelakeyoumighthaveacoupleofgondolas。Twowouldbesufficientforalakeofthissize；amplysufficient。Yes，"hesaidfirmly，"Iwouldcertainlyadvisegondolas。Theylookwell，andthechildrenliketorideonthem。Andsodotheadults。Iwouldhavetwogondolasinthelake。"
　　MayorDuganandtheCityCouncil，meetingasacommitteeofthewholetoreceivethereportofthelandscapegardenerandhisplanforthenewpublicpark，noddedtheirheadssagely。
　　"Sure！"saidMayorDugan。"Wewanttwoofthim——ofthimgon——
　　thimgon——"
　　"Gondolas，"saidthelandscapegardener。"Sure！"saidMayorDugan，"wewanttwoofthim。Remimberth’gondolas，Toole。"
　　"Ihavethimfastinmemind，"saidToole。"Iwillnotletthimgitaway，Dugan。"
　　Thelandscapegardenerstoodaminuteindeepthought，lookingattheceiling。
　　"Yes，thatisall！"hesaid。"Myreport，andtheplan，andwhatIhavementioned，willbeallyouneed。"
　　ThenheshookhandswiththemayorandwithallthecitycouncilmenandleftJeffersonvilleforever，goingbacktoNewYorkwherelandscapegardenersgrow，andthedoorswereopenedandthecommitteeofthewholebecameoncemoretheregularmeetingoftheCityCouncil。
　　Theappropriationforthenewparkwasrushedthroughintwentyminutes，passingthesecondandthirdreadingsbythereadingofthetitleunderasuspensionoftheby-laws，andbeingunanimouslyadopted。ItwasamatteroflifeanddeathwithMayorDuganandhisring。Jeffersonvillewasgettingtiredofthejoyfulgrafters，andmurmursofdiscontentwereconcentratingintothreatsofareformpartytoturnthecheerfulrascalsout。
　　Thenewparkwastobeasopthrowntothepopulace——somethingtomakethecityproudofitselfandgratefultoitsmayorandcouncil。ItwasmorethanapetschemeofMayorDugan，itwasalifeboatforthering。Inhalfanhourthecommitteeshadbeenappointed，andthemayorturnedtotheregularbusiness。ThenfromhisseatattheleftofthelastrowlittleAldermanToolearose。
　　"MistherMayor，"hesaid，"howaboutthim——thimdon——thimdon——
　　"Golas！"whisperedAldermanGrevemeyerhoarsely，"dongolas。"
　　"Howaboutthimdongolas，MistherMayor？"askedAldermanToole。
　　"Sure！"saidthemayor。"Willannyonemovethatwegittwodongolast’putinth’lakeforth’kidst’rideon？WillannyonemovethatAldermanToolebeaconmitteeofwant’gittwodongolast’putinth’lake？"
　　"Imakedotmotions，"saidAldermanGreveneyer，halfraisinghisgreatbulkfromhisseatandsinkingbackwithagrunt。
　　"Sicondth’motion，"saidAldermanToole。
　　"Movedandsiconded，"saidthemayor，"thatAldermanToolebeacommitteet’buytwodongolast’putinth’lakeforth’kidst’
　　rideon。Yehaveheardth’motion。"
　　Themotionwasunanimouslycarried。ThatwasthekindofCityCouncilMayorDuganhadchosen。
　　WhenlittleAldermanTooledroppedintoCasey’ssaloonthatnightonhiswayhomehedidnotslipmeeklytothefarendofthebar，asheusuallydid。Forthefirsttimeinhisaldermaniccareerhehadbeenputonacommitteewherehewouldreallyhavesomethingtodo，andhefeltthehonour。HeboldlytookaplacebetweenthebigmayorandAldermanGrevemeyer，andsaid："Oneofth’same，Casey，"withtheairofamanwhohasmattersofimportanceonhismind。Hefeltthatthingswerecominghisway。
　　Eventhebigmayorseemedtoappreciateit，forheputhishandaffectionatelyonToole’sshoulder。
　　"Mike，"saidthemayor，"aboutthimdongolas，now；haveyethoughtannyaboutwhereyewouldbegettin’thim？"
　　"Ihavenot，"saidToole。"Iwasthinkin’’twouldbegoodt’
　　thinkitoverabit，Dugan。Mebby’twouldbebestt’gitthimatChicagy。"Helookedanxiouslyatthemayor’sface，hopingforsomesignofapprovalordisapproval，butthemayor’sfacewasnoncommittal。"Butmebbyitwouldn’t，"concludedToole。Asafeelerheadded："Wouldyebewantin’met’havethimmadehere，Dugan？"
　　ThebigmayorpattedTooleontheshoulderindulgently。
　　"It’supt’you，Mike，"hesaid。"Yeknowth’wayDugandoesthings，an’th’wayhelikesthimdone。ItrustthimthatIkintrust，an’whinIputamanoncommitteeI’mdonewidth’thing。
　　Ofcoorse，"headded，puttinghismouthclosetoToole’sear，andwinkingatGrevemeyer，"yewillseethatthereisarake-offformean’th’byes。"
　　"Sure！"saidToole。
　　Thebigmayorturnedbacktothebarandtookadrinkfromhisglass。Grevemeyertookadrinkfromhisglass，also。SodidToole，gravely。DuganwipedhismouthonthebackofhishandandturnedtoTooleagain。
　　"Mike，"hesaid，"whatdoyethink？Mebby’twoulddoaswellt’
　　gitacoupleofsicond-handdongolasan’havethimpaintedup。Iftheywasinpurtygoodshapenowanwouldknowth’difference，an’’twouldmakeabitmorerake-offferth’byes，mebby。"
　　"Th’samewordwasonth’indo’metongue，Dugan，"saidToole，noddinghisheadslowly。"Iwasconsiderin’thisveryminutewhereIcouldlaymehandonacoupleofpurtygooddongolasthathasnotbeenusedmuch。Flannagancouldpaintthimupfine！"
　　"OrStoltzenaucoulddosuchpaintings，"interposedGrevemeyer。
　　"Sure！"agreedthebigmayor。Hetoyedwithhisglassamoment。
　　"Mike，"hesaidsuddenly，"whatth’divilisadongola，anyhow？"
　　MikeToolewasjustraisinghisglasstohislipswiththemovementsofoneaccustomedtoholdconversationwiththemayor。
　　Hislefthandrestedonhiship，withhisarmakimbo，andhishatwastippedcarelesslytothebackofhishead。Thehandraisinghisglassstoppedshortwhereitwaswhenheheardthemayor’squestion。Hefrownedattheglass——scowledatitangrily。
　　"Adongola，Dugan"——hesaidslowly，andstopped。"Adongola"——
　　herepeated。"Adongola——didyeaskmewhatadongolamightbe，Dugan？"
　　Thebigmayornodded，andGrevemeyerleanedforwardtocatchtheanswer。Casey，too，leanedonhisbarandlistened。AldermanTooleraisedhisglasstohislipsandfilledhismouthwiththeliquor。Instantlyhedashedtheglassfuriouslytothefloor。Hejerkedoffhishatandcastitintoafarcornerandpulledoffhiscoat，throwingitafterhishat。HewasclimbingontothebarwhenthebigmayorandGrevemeyerlaidtheirhandsonthelittlemanandheldhimtightly。Thebigmayorshookhimonceandsethimonthefloor。
　　"Mike！"saidthebigmayor。"What’sth’matterwidye？Whatareyegoin’aftherCaseythatwayfor？Isitcrazyyeare？Orhaveyegoneinsane？"
　　"Knock-outdrops！"shoutedToole，shakinghisfistatCasey，wholookeddownathiminastonishment。"Knock-outdrops！Iwillhaveth’lawonye，Casey。Iwillhaveth’jointclosed！I’llteachyet’begivin’knock-outdropst’th’alderminofth’
　　city！"
　　"Mike！"criedthebigmayor，givinghimanothervigorousshake。
　　"Shutupwidye！Caseywouldn’tbegivin’yeannythingthatwasn’tgoodforye。Caseywouldn’tbegivin’yeknock-outdrops。"
　　"No？"whisperedMikeangrily。"No？Wouldn’the，Dugan？An’whathashedonet’memimory，then，Dugan？Whathasheputinth’
　　drinkt’robmeofmemimory？WanminuteagoIknewaswellannyothermanwhatadongolaislike，an’nowIhavenomimoryofannydongolasatall。WanminuteagoIcouldhavetoldyeth’
　　wholehistoryofdongolas，fromth’timeofAdamuptillnow，an’
　　havedrawedapictureofwanthatannywancouldrecognize——an’
　　nowIwouldn’tknowwanifyewasshowitt’me！Iwasaboutt’
　　tellyeth’wholehistoryofdongolas，Dugan；’twasonth’indofmetonguet’giveyeatalkondongolas，whinItookadrink。Yesawmetakeadrink，Grevemeyer？"
　　"Ya！"saidGrevemeyer。noddinghisheadsolemnly。"Youtooksuchadrink！"
　　"Sure，"saidToole，arranginghisvest。"Grevemeyersawmetaketh’drink——annowIhavenomimoryofdongolasatall。Ifyewast’showmeachromoofwanIwouldn’tknowwasitadongolaorwhat。I’mashamedofye，Casey！"
　　"Ifyedoneit，Casey，yehadn’thaveoughtt’havedoneit，"
　　saidDuganreprovingly。"Th’mindofhimmightberuinedintirely。"
　　"Stop，Dugan！"saidToolehastily。"Iforgivehim。Memindwilllikelybeallrightbymornin’。’Tispurtygoodyit，ixciptonth’subjictofdongolas。I’mtimporarilyoutofremimbrancewhatdongolasis。’Tisoddhowthimknock-outdropsworks，Grevemeyer。"
　　"Ya！"saidthealdermanunsuspectingly，"gifingsuchaforgetfulnessonsucheasythingsasdongolas。"
　　"Sure！YoutellDuganwhatdongolasis，Grevemeyer，"saidToolequickly。
　　Grevemeyerlookedathisglassthoughtfully。Hismindworkedslowlyalways，buthesawthatitwouldnotdoforhimtohaveknock-outdropssosoonafterToole。
　　"Ach！"heexclaimedangrily。"YouareinsultingtomemitsuchquestionsToole。SomuchwillItellyou——neveraskGermanswhatisdongolas。ItisnotforGermanstotalkaboutsuchthings。
　　AskCasey。"
　　Caseyscratchedhisheadthoughtfully。
　　"Dongolas？"herepeated。"Ihaveheardth’word，Grevemeyer。
　　Waitabit！’Tissomethingaboutshoes。Sure！Iremimber，now！
　　’Twasdongolashoeswanofmekidshad，lastwinter，an’nogoodtheywere，too。Dongolasisshoes，Grevemeyer——lacedshoes——
　　dongolasislacedshoes。"
　　Thebigmayorleanedhisheadfarbackandlaughedlongandloud。Hepoundedonthebarwithhisfist，andslappedTooleontheback。
　　"Lacedshoes！"hecried，wipinghiseyes，andthenhebecamesuddenlyserious。"’Twouldnotbeshoes，Casey，"hesaidgravely。
　　"Thimdongolaswasricommindedbyth’landscape-gardenerfromNewYorrk。’Twouldnotbesinsiblet’ricommindusputapairoflacedshoesinth’parklakeferth’kidst’rideon。"
　　"’Twouldnotseemso，"saidToole，shakinghisheadwisely。"I
　　wishtmemindwaslikeitalwaysis。’Tisapity——"
　　"Stop！"criedCasey。"Ihaveit！Thimwaskidshoes。Thimdongolaswaskidshoes。"
　　"Sosaid，Casey，"saidDuo’an"Forth’kid。"
　　"No，"saidCasey，"ofth’kid。"
　　"Sure！"saidGravemeyer。Soitis——theshoesofthechild。"
　　"Rightferye！"exclaimedCasey。"Th’kidshoesofth’kid。
　　’Twaskidleathertheyweremadeoutof，Dugan。Th’dongolaissomefancykindofagoat。Likebox-calfisth’skinofth’calfofth’box-cow。Th’dongolaissomeforeignkindofagoat，Dugan。"
　　"Ho，ho-o-o！"criedToole，suddenly，knockingonhisforeheadwiththeknucklesofhisfist。Thethreementurnedtheireyesuponhimandstared。
　　"Whatailsyenow，Mike？"askedDugan，disgustedly。
　　"Ho-o-o！"hecriedagain，slappinghimselfonthetopofhishead。"Memindiscomm’backt’me，Dugan！Th’effectsofth’
　　knock-outdropsiswearin’off！Irecallnowthatth’dongolaissomefancykindofagoat。’Twillallcomebackt’mesoon。
　　"Goalongwidye！"exclaimedDugan。"Wouldyebeputtin’agoatinth’lakeforth’kidst’rideon？"
　　"Sure！"saidTooleenthusiastically。"SureIwould，Dugan。Notth’commongoatIwouldn’t。ButdongolagoatsIwould。Haveyeheardofdongolawatergoats，Casey？Wasthimdongolagoatskinshoeswarrantedt’bewater-proof？"
　　Caseywrinkledhisbrow。
　　"’Tisliketheywas，Toole，"hesaiddoubtfully。"’Tisliketheywaswarrantedt’be，buttheywasn’t。"
　　"Sure！"criedToolejoyously。"’Tiswater-proofth’skinofth’dongolawatergoatsis，liketh’skinofth’duck。An’swim？
　　Aduckisn’tinitwidawatergoat。Iremimberseein’thiminouldIrelandwhinIwasabye，Dugan，swimmininth’lakeofKillarney。Ah，’twasapurtypicture。"
　　"Iseemt’remimberthimmesilf，"hesaid。"Notclear，butabit。"
　　"Sureyedo！"criedToole。"Many’sthetimeIhaverodeacrossth’lakeonth’backofadongola。Meownfather，whowasabigmaninth’ouldcountry，usedt’keepapairofthimforuschilder。’TwashimselffetchedthimfromDonnegal，Dugan。’TwasfromDonnegaltheygotth’nameofthim，an’’twasth’nameyegivethimthatmisledme。Donnegoraswaswhatwecalledthiminth’ouldcounry——donnegorasfromDonnegal。Iremimberth’twoofthimIhadwhinIwasakid，Dugan——wanwasaNanny，an’wanwasaBilly，an’——"
　　"Goonhome，Mike，"saidDugan。"Goonhomean’sleepitoff！"
　　andthelittlealdermanfromtheFourthWardpickeduphishatandcoat，andobeyedhisorders。
　　Institutinganewpublicparkandseeingthatineverypurchaseandeverycontractthereisarake-offfortheringisabigjob，andbetweenthisandthefightagainsttherapidlyincreasingstrengthofthereformparty，MayorDuganhadhishandsmorethanfull。Hehadnotimetothinkofdongolas，andhedidnotwanttothinkofthem——Toolewasthecommitteeondongolas，anditwashisdutytothinkofthem，andtoworryaboutthem，ifanyworrywasnecessary。ButTooledidnotworry。HesatdownandwrotealettertohiscousinDennis，officialkeeperofthezooinIdlewildParkatFranklin，Iowa。
　　"DearDennis，"hewrote。"HaveyouanydongolagoatsinyourmenageryforIwanttworightawaygoodstrongonesanswerrightawayyouraffectionatecousinaldermanMichaelToole。"
　　"Psmonnynoobject。"
　　WhenDennisToolereceivedthisletterhewalkedthroughhiszooandconsideredhisanimalsthoughtfully。Theshop-wornbrownbearwouldnotdotofillcousinMike’sorder；neitherwouldtheweather-wornreddeernorthefamilyofvariegatedtamerabbits。
　　ThezooofIdlewildParkatFranklinwaswoefullyshortofdongolagoats——infact，toanybutthemostimaginativeandeasilypleasedchild，itwaslackinginnearlyeverythingthatmakesazooacongressoftheworld’smostrareandthrillingcreatures。Afterall，thenearestthingtoagoatwasagoat，andgoatswereplentyinFranklin。DennisfeltanirresistiblelongingtoaidMike——thelongingthatcomestoanyhealthymanwhenarequestisaccompaniedbythelegend"Moneynoobject。"HewrotethateveningtoMike。
　　"DearMike，"hewrote。"I’vegottwogoodstrongdongolagoatsIcanletyouhavecheap。I’moverstockedwithdongolasto-day。I
　　wanttogetridoftwo。ZooisgettingtoocrowdedwithallkindsofanimalsandIdon’tneedsomanydongolagoats。Iwillsellyoutwoforfiftydollars。Apiece。Whatdoyouwantthemfor？
　　Youraffectionatecousin，DennisToole，Zookeeper。PS。Cratesextra。"
　　"Casey，"saidMiketohisfriendthesaloonkeeperwhenhereceivedthiscommunication，"’tisjustasItoldye——dongolasisgoats。Ihavebeencorrispondin’withwanofth’celibratedanimalmenregardin’th’dongolawatergoat，an’Ihavemeeyeontwoofthimthisveryminute。But’twillbeixpinsive，Casey，mightyixpinsive。Th’dongolawatergoatisararebirrd，Casey。
　　Theyhavebecomeextinctinth’lakesofIreland，an’whatfewofthimisleftinth’worrldisheldatoutrajeousprices。Inth’
　　letterIhavefromth’animalman，Casey，hewantstwohundreddollarsapieceforeachdongolawatergoat，an’’twillbenoeasythingforhimt’gitthim。"
　　"Hasn’thethiminhisshop，Mike？"askedCasey。
　　"Hehasnot，Casey，"saidthelittlealderman。"Hehasnoplaceforthim。Cageshehas，an’globesforgoldfish，an’birrdcages，butth’sizeofth’shopl’avesnoroomforanaquarium，Casey。
　　Hehasnotankforthepreservationofwatergoats。
　　Hippopotamusesan’alligatorsan’crocodilesan’dongolawatergoatsan’sealionshedoesnotkeepinstock，Casey，butsindsoutan’catchesthimwhinordered。Hewritesthathisagintshastheireyesontwofinedongolas，an’hehastiligraphedthimt’
　　catchthim。"
　　"Aretheynearby，Mike？"askedCasey，muchinterested。
　　"Naw，"saidToole。"’TwillbesometimetillIgitthim。Th’
　　lastheheardofthimtheywereswimmin’inth’LakeofGeneva。"
　　"Isitfar，th’lake？"askedCasey。
　　"Idisremimberhowfar，"saidToole。"’TisinAfricaorAsia，ormebby’tisinConstantinople。Wanofthimcountriesitis，annyhow。"
　　ButtohiscousinDennishewrote：
　　"DearDennis——Iwilltakethemtwodongolas。Cratethemgoodandsolid。DonotsendthemtillItellyou。Sendthebilltome。
　　YouraffectionatecousinaldermanMichaelToole。PsMakebillfortwohundreddollarsapiece。Businessisbusiness。Thisisbetweenustwo。M。T。"
　　AKeeperoftheWaterGoatshadbeenselectedwiththeutmostcare，combininginthechoicepracticalpoliticswithasenseoffitness。TimothyFaganwasusedtoanimals——foryearshehaddrivenadumpcart。Hewasusedtochildren——hehadtenorelevenofhisown。AndhecontrolledseveralvotesintheFourthWard。
　　Hiselevationfromthedump-cartofthestreetcleaningdepartmenttothehighofficeofKeeperoftheWaterGoatswasonethatDuganbelievedwouldgivegeneralsatisfaction。
　　WhenthegoatsarrivedinJeffersonvillethetwoheavycrateswerehauledtoAldermanToole’sbackyardtoawaittheopeningofthepark，andthereMayorDuganandGoatKeeperFagancametoinspectthem。AldermanTooleledthewaytothemwithpride，andMayorDugan’screasedbrowalmostuncreasedashebentdownandpeeredbetweenthebarsofthecrates。Theywerefinegoats。
　　Perhapstheylookedsomewhatmoredejectedthanagoatusuallylooks——moredirtyanddownattheheelsthanagoatoftenlooks——
　　buttheywereundoubtedlygoats。AsspecimensofordinaryIrishgoatstheymightnothavepassedmusterwithacarefulbuyer，butnodoubttheywereexcellentexamplesofthedongola。
　　"Yehavedonegood，Mike，"saidthemayor。"Yehavedonegood！
　　Butain’ttheymebbyabitofftheirfeed——orsomething？"
　　"Offtheirfeed！"saidToole。"An’whowouldn’tbe，poorthings？Mindye，Dugan，thimisnotcommongoats——thimisdongolas——an’usedtobein’inth’wathercon-continuousfrommornin’tillnight。’Tissufferin’foraswimtheybe，pooranimals。Wanceletthimgitinth’lakean’yewillseeth’
　　difference，Dugan。’Twillmakeallth’differenceinth’worrldt’thim。’Tisdyin’foraswimtheyare。"
　　"Sure！"saidtheKeeperoftheWaterGoats。"Yehavedonegood，Mike，"saidthemayoragain。"Thimdongolaswillbeabigsurpriseforth’people。"
　　Theywere。TheysurprisedtheKeeperoftheGoatsfirstofall。
　　Thedaybeforetheparkwastobeopenedtothepublicthegoatsweretakentotheparkandturnedovertotheirofficialkeeper。
　　Ateleveno’clockthatmorningAldermanToolewasleaningagainstCasey’sbar，confidentiallypouringintohisearthestoryofhowthedongolashadgiventheircaptorsaworldoftrouble，swimmingviolentlytothefarreachesofLakeGenevaandhidingamongthebulrushesandreeds，whentheswingingdoorofthesaloonwasbangedopenandTimFaganrushedin。Hewasmad。
　　Hewasverymad，buthewasagreatdealwetterthanmad。Helookedasifhehadbeensoakedinwaterovernight，andnotwrungoutinthemorning。
　　"Mike！"hewhisperedhoarsely，graspingthelittlealdermanbythearm。"Iwantye！Iwantyedownatth’park。"
　　AchilloffearpassedoverAldermanToole。HeturnedhisfacetoFaganandlaidhishandonhisshoulder。
　　"Tim，"hedemanded，"hasannythinghappenedt’th’dongolas？"
　　"Isannythinghappenedt’th’dongolas！"exclaimedFagansarcastically。"Isannythingwrongwiththimwatergoats？Oh，no，Toole！Nawthin’hasgonewrongwiththim！Onlytheywon’tgointoth’wather，Mike！Isannythinggonewrongwiththim，didyesay？
　　Nawthin’！Theybeingoodhealth，buttheyarenotcrazyt’beswimmin’。Th’waytheydonothankert’dashintoth’waterismarvellous，Mike。Nowaterforthim！"
　　"Hist！"saidTooleuneasily，glancingaroundtoseethatnoonebutCaseywasinhearing。"Mebbyyehavenotstartedthimright，Tim。"
　　"Mebbynot，"saidFaganangrily。"MebbyIdonotknowhowt’
　　startth’watergoat，Toole！Mebbythereisonewayunbeknownstt’me。Ifso，Ihavenottriedit。Butth’forty-sivinotherwaysIhavetried，an’th’goatswillnotswim。Ihavestartedthimbackwardsan’Ihavestartedthimfrontwards，an’Ihavetookthiminbyth’hornsan’givethimlessonst’swim，an’theywillnotswim！Ihavedonemedutybythim，Mike，an’Ihavewrastledwiththim，an’rolledinth’lakewiththim。Wasitt’beswimmin’teachert’watergoatsyegotmethisjobfor？"
　　"Hist！"saidTooleagain。"Notsoloud，Tim！Yehaven’ttoldDuganhaveye？"
　　"Ihavenot！"saidTim，withanger。"Ihavenottoldannybodyannythingexciptthimgoatsan’whatItoldthimisnotdacinthearin’。Ihaveconversedwiththiminstronglanguage，an’itdonenogood。Noswimmin’forthim！Comeondownan’haveachatwiththimyersilf，Toole。Comeondownan’arguewiththim，anpersuadethimwithth’softsoundofyervoicet’swim。Comeondownan’gitthimwatergoatsusedt’th’water。"
　　"Yedon’tunderstandth’watergoat，Tim，"saidTooleingentlereproof。"Iwillshowyehowt’handlehim，"andhewentout，followedbythewetKeeperoftheWaterGoats。
　　Thetwowatergoatsstoodatthesideofthelake，wetandmournful，tiedtotwostrongstakes。Theylookedwearyandmeek，fortheyhadhadahardmorning，butassoonastheysawTimFagantheybrightenedup。Theyarosesimultaneouslyontheirhindlegsandtheireyesglitteredwithdeadlyhatred。Theystrainedattheirropes，andthen，suddenly，panic-stricken，theyturnedandran，bringingupattheendsoftheirropeswithashockthatbentthestoutstakestowhichtheywerefastened。Theystoodstillandcowered，trembling。
　　"Layhold！"commandedToole。"Layholdofahornofth’brutetillIshowyehowt’makehimswim。"
　　Throughthefreshgravelofthebeachthefourfeetofthereluctantgoatplougheddeepfurrows。Itshookitsheadfromsidetoside，butTooleandFaganhelditfast，andintothewateritwent。"
　　"Now！"criedAldermanToole。"Gitbehindan’push，Tim！Wan！
　　Two！Three！Push！"
　　AldermanToolereleasedhisholdandKeeperoftheWaterGoatsFaganpushed。Thentheytriedtheothergoat。Itwaseasiertotrytheotherwatergoatthantowastetimehuntinguptheonetheyhadjusttried，forithadgoneaway。AssoonasAldermanTooleletitgo，itwent。Itseemedtowanttogettotheotherendoftheparkassoonaspossible，butitdidnottaketheshortcutacrossthelake——itwentaround。Butitdidnotmindtravel——itwenttothefarthestpartofthepark，anditwouldhavegonefartherifitcould。SoAldermanTooleandKeeperFagantriedtheotherwatergoat。Thatonewentstraighttotheotherendofthepark。Itswervedfromastraightlinebutonce，andthatwaswhenitshiedatapailofwaterthatwasintheway。Itdidnotseemtolikewater。
　　IntheFranklinZooDennisToolehadjustremovedthelidofhistinlunch-pailwhenthetelegraphboyhandedhimtheyellowenvelope。Heturneditoverandover，studyingitsexterior，whiletheboywenttolookattheshop-wornbrownbear。Thezookeeperdecidedthattherewasnowaytofindoutwhatwasinsideoftheenvelopebuttoopenit。Hewasreadyfortheworst。Hewondered，unthinkingly，whichoneofhisfortyormorecousinswasdead，andopenedtheenvelope。
　　"DennisToole，FranklinZoo，"heread，"Dongolaswon’tswim。
　　Howdoyoumakethemswim？Telegraphatonce。MichaelToole。"
　　Helaidthetelegramacrosshiskneesandlookedatitasifitwassomestrangecommunicationfromanothersphere。Hepushedhishattoonesideofhisheadandscratchedthetuftofredhairthusbared。
　　"’Dongolaswon’tswim！"’herepeatedslowly。"An’howdoImakethimswim？IwonderdoesCousinMiketaketh’goatt’beafish，orwhat？Iwonderdoeshetakeswimmin’tobewanofth’
　　accomplishmentsofth’goat？"Heshookhisheadinpuzzlement，andfrownedatthetelegram。"Wouldhebehavin’agoatregatta，Iwonder，orwasheexpectin’th’goatt’beaweb-footedanimal？
　　’Won’tswim！’herepeatedangrily。’Won’tswim！’An’whatisittomeiftheywon’tswim？NaytherwouldIswimifIwasagoat。
　　’Tisnoneofmeaffairiftheywillnotswim。Therewasnawthin’
　　saidabout’swimmin’goats。’GoatsIcangivehim，an’dongolagoatsIcangivehim，anjumpin’goats，an’climbin’goats，an’
　　walkin’goats，but’tisnotinmelinet’furnishsubmarinegoats。
　　No，norgoatst’flyupinth’air！Wouldannyone，"hesaidwithexasperation，"wouldannyonethatgotaplainorderforgoatsixpictt’havet’furnishgoatsthatwouldhopupoffth’earthan’makeaballoonascension？’TisnofaultofDennisToole’sthimgoatswon’tswim。WhatwillMikebetelegraphin’menixt，I
　　wonder？’DearDennis：Th’goatswon’tlayeggs。Howdoyemakethim？’Bye，haveyeapieceofpapert’writeananswert’mecousinMikeon？"
　　TheKeeperoftheWaterGoatsandAldermanTooleweresittingonarusticbenchlookingsadlyatthewatergoatswhentheJeffersonvilletelegraphmessengerbroughtthemDennisToole’sanswer。AldermanToolegraspedtheenvelopeeagerlyandtoreitopen，andFaganleanedoverhisshoulderashereadit：
　　"MichaelToole，Alderman，Jeffersonville，"theyread。"Puttheminthewaterandseeiftheywillswim。DennisToole。"
　　"Putthiminth’wather！"exclaimedAldermanTooleangrily。
　　"Whydon’tyeputthiminth’wather，Fagan？Whydidyenotthinkt’putthiminth’wather？"Helookeddownathissoakingclothes，andhisangerincreased。"Whyhaveyebeentryin’t’
　　makethimdongolasswimonland，Fagan？"heaskedsarcastically。
　　"Orhaveyebeenthrowin’thimupinth’airt’seethimswim？
　　Whydon’tyeputthiminth’wather？Whydon’tyefollowth’
　　instructionsofth’expertdongolawatergoatmanan’putthiminth’watherifyewantthimt’swim？"
　　Faganlookedattheangryalderman。Helookedatthedrippinggoats。
　　"SoIdid，Mike，"hesaidseriously。"Webothofusdid。"
　　"An’didwe！"criedAldermanTooleinmocksurprise。"Isitpossiblewethoughtt’putthiminth’watherwhinwewantedthimt’swim？Itwasinmemindthatwetiedthimtoatreean’playedring-around-a-rosywiththimt’inducethimt’swim！Where’sapencil？Where’sapieceofpaper？"hecried。
　　Hejerkedthemfromthehandofthemessengerboy。Theafternoonwashalfwornaway。Everyminutewasprecious。Hewrotehastilyandhandedthemessagetothemessengerboy。
　　"Fagan，"hesaid，astheboydisappeareddownthepathatarun，"raiseupyerspiritsancomean’giveth’watergoatssomemoreinstructionsinth’ginteelartofswimmin’inth’wather。"
　　Fagansighedandarose。Hewalkedtowardthedejectedwatergoats，and，takingthenearestonebythehornsyankedittowardthelake。Thegoatwastooweaktodomorethanholdbackfeeblyandbleatitsdisapprovalofanotherbath。Themorelessonsinswimmingitreceivedthelessitseemedtoliketoswim。Ithaddevelopedapositivehatredofswimming。
　　DennisToolereceivedthesecondtelegramwithasavagegrin。
　　Hehadexpectedit。Heopeneditwithmaliciousslowness。
　　"DennisToole，FranklinZoo，"heread。"WheredoyouthinkI
　　putthemtomakethemswim？Theywon’tswiminthelake。Itwon’tdonogoodtousforthemtoswimondryland。Nofooling，now，howdoyoumakethemdongolasswim？Answerquick。
　　MichaelToole。"
　　Hedidnothavetostudyouthisreply，forhehadbeenconsideringiteversincehehadsenttheothertelegram。Hetookablankfromtheboyandwrotetheanswer。ThesunwassettingwhentheJeffersonvillemessengerdeliveredittoAldermanToole。
　　"MikeToole，Jeffersonville，"itsaid。"Quitfooling，yourself。
　　Don’tyouknowyoungdongolasarealwayswater-shyatfirst？Tietheminthelakeandletthemsoak，andtheywilllearntoswimfastenough。IfIdidn’tknowanymoreaboutdongolasthanyoudoIwouldkeepclearofthem。DennisToole。"
　　"Listentothatnow，"saidAldermanToole，asmilespreadingoverhisface。"An’whoeversaidIknewannythingaboutwatergoats，annyhow？Th’naturalhistoryofth’watergoatisnotwanofthethingsusuallyconsideredpartofth’iducationofth’
　　aldermanfromth’FourthWard，Fagan，but’tissurprisedIamthatyedidnotknowth’goatisliketh’soupbean，an’hast’
　　besoakedbeforeusin’。Th’Keeperofth’WaterGoatshouldknowth’habitsofth’animal，Fagan。Whydidyenotputthimintosoakinth’firstplace？Iamsurprisedatye！"
　　"Itescapedmemind，"saidFagan。"Iwasthinkin’thesewasbroket’swimmin’an’didnotneedt’besoaked。Iwonderhowlongtheyshouldbesoaked，Mike？"
　　"’Twilldonoharrmt’soakthimovernight，annyhow，"saidToole。"Overnightisth’usualsoakgivent’th’soup-beanan’
　　th’saltmackerel，t’saynawthin’ofth’codfishan’othersofth’water-goatfamily。Letth’watergoatssoakovernight，Fagan，anbymornin’theywillbereadyt’swimlikeatrout。Wewillanchorthiminth’lake，Fagan——an’wewillsaynawthin’t’
　　Dugan。’Twouldbeablowt’Duganwashet’learnth’dongolasprovidedferth’parkwasyoungan’wather-shy。"
　　Theyanchoredthewatergoatsfirmlyinthelake，andleftthemtheretoovercometheirshyness，whichseemed，asFaganandTooleleftthem，tobeasgreatasever。Thegoatsgazedsadly，andbleatedlongingly，afterthetwomenastheydisappearedinthedusk，andwhenthemenhadpassedentirelyoutofsight，thegoatslookedateachotherandcomplainedbitterly。
　　AldermanToolethoughtfullychangedhiswetclothesfordryonesbeforehewenttoCasey’sthatevening，forhethoughtDuganmightbethere，andhewas。HewastherewhenToolearrived，andhisbrowwasblack。Hehadhadabaddayofit。Everythinghadgonewrongwithhimandhisaffairs。Alargelumpofhisadherentshadsloughedofffromhispartyandhadaffiliatedwithhisopponents，andtheeveningoppositionpaperhadcomeoutwithared-hotarticlecondemningtheadministrationforrecklessextravagance。IthadespeciallycondemnedDuganforburdeningthecitywithnewbondstocreateanunneededpark，andthewholethinghadendedwithascreechofironiclaughteroverthe——sotheeditorcalledit——fittingcapstoneofthewholebusiness，thepurchaseoftwodongolagoatsatperfectlyextravagantprices。
　　"Mike，"saidthebigmayorseverely，whenthelittlealdermanhadofferedhisgreetings，"thereisthedivilan’allt’payaboutthimdongolas。Th’Newsisfullofthim。’Twillbeth’indofusalliftheydonotpanoutwell。Haveyetriedthiminth’
　　wateryet？"
　　"Sure！"exclaimedthelittlealdermanwithaheartinesshedidnotfeel。"Whathasmean’Faganbeendoin’alldaybuttryin’
　　thim？Havenofearofth’wathergoats，Dugan。"
　　"Dotheyswimwell，Mike？"askedthebigmayorkindly，butwithawearyheavinesshedidnottrytoconceal。
　　"Swim！"exclaimedToole。"Didyesayswim，Dugan？Swimisnonameforth’waytheyripthro’thewather！’Twasmarvelloust’
　　seethim。Ah，thimdongolasiswonderfulanimals！Doyethinkwecouldpersuadethimt’comeoutwhinwewantedt’comehome？Notthim，Dugan！’Twasallmean’Fagancoulddot’pullthimoutbymainforce，an’th’minuteweletgoofthim，backtheywintintoth’wather。’Twaspitifult’hearth’waytheybleatedt’beletbackintoth’watheragin，Dugan，soweletthimstayinforth’
　　night。"
　　"Yedidnotletthimlooseinth’lake，Mike？"exclaimedthebigmayor。"Yedidnotletthimbesotheycouldgitaway？"
　　"No，"saidToole。"No！They’llnotgitaway，Dugan。Weanchoredthimfast。"
　　"Yedonegood，Mike，"saidthebigmayor。
　　ThenextmorningKeeperoftheWaterGoatsFaganwasdownsufficientlyearlytodragthebodiesofthegoatsoutofthelakelongbeforeeventhefirstcitizenwasadmittedtothepark。
　　Alone，andhastilyhehidtheminthelittletoolhouse，andlockedthedooronthem。ThenhewenttofindAldermanToole。Hefoundhiminthemayor’soffice，andbeckonedhimtooneside。Inhot，quickaccentshetoldhimtheuntimelyfateofthedongolawatergoats，andthemayor——withaneyeforeverythingonthatimportantday——sawtheredfaceofAldermanToolegrowlongerandredder；sawthelookofpainandhorrorthatoverspreadit。A
　　chillingfeargrippedhisownheart。
　　"Mike，"hesaid。"What’sth’matterwithth’dongolas？"
　　ItwasFaganwhospoke，whilethelittlealdermanfromtheFourthWardstoodbereftofspeechinthisawfulmoment。
　　"Dugan，"hesaid，"Ihavenothadmuchixperiencewithth’
　　dongolawathergoat，an’th’waysan’habitsofthimisstranget’me，butifIwast’saywhatIthink，Iwouldsaytheywasover-soaked。"
　　"Over-soaked，Fagan？"saidthemayorcrossly。"Talksense，willye？"
　　"Sure！"saidFagan。"An’over-soakediswhatIsay。Thimwatergoatshasallth’looksofbein’soakedtoolong。Iwouldnotsaypositive，YerHonour，butthatisth’looksofthim。Ifmeownmotherwast’askmeIwouldsayth’same，Dugan。’Soakin’toolongdoneit，’iswhatIwouldsay。"
　　"Youareafool，Fagan！"exclaimedthebigmayor。
　　"Well，"saidFaganmildly，"Ihavenothadmuchixperienceinsoakin’dongolas，ifyemeanthat，Dugan。Idonotsetupt’beanexpertdongolasoaker。Idonotknowth’rulest’goby。Somemaylikethimsoakedlongan’somemaylikethimsoakednotsolong，butifIwastosay，Iwouldsaythimtwodongolasatth’
　　parkhasbeensoakedadangsighttoolong。Th’swimhasbeensoakedcleanoutofthim。"
　　"Aretheysick？"askedthebigmayor。"Whatisth’matterwiththim？"
　　"Theydolooksick，"agreedFagan，breakingthebadnewsgently。"Ishouldsaytheylookmightysick，Dugan。Iftheylookedannysicker，Iwouldbeaftherlookin’foraplacet’burythimin。An’Iamlookin’forth’placenow。"
　　Asthetruthdawnedonthemindofthebigmayor，helosthisfirmlookandsankintoachair。Thiswasthelastbrickpulledfromunderhisstructureofhopes。Hisheadsankuponhisbreastandformanyminuteshewassilent，whilehisaidesstoodabashedandillatease。AtlastheraisedhisheadandstaredatToole，moreinsorrowthaninresentfulness。
　　"Mike，"hesaid，"MikeToole！Whatinth’worrldmadeyesoakthimdongolas？"
　　"Dugan，"pleadedToole，layinghishandonthebigmayor’sarm。
　　"Dugan，oldman，don’tlookatmethatway。Therewasnawthin’
　　elset’dobutsoakthimdongolas。Many’sth’timeIhaveseenmeoldfathersoakin’th’youngdongolast’limberthimupforswimmin’。’Ifiveryehavetodowithdongolas，Mike，’heusedt’
　　sayt’me，’soakthimwellfirrst。’SoIsoakedthim，an’’tisnoneofmefault，norFagan’seither，thattheysoakedfullo’
　　wather。First-classdongolasiswather-proof，asiveryoneknows，Dugan，an’howwaswet’knowthimtwowasnot？Howwasmean’
　　Fagant’knowtheirskinswouldsoakinwatherlikeapillowcase？Smallblametous，Dugan。"
　　Thebigmayortookhisheadbetweenhishandsandstaredmoodilyatthefloor。
　　"Goawnaway！"hesaidafterawhile。"Yehavedoneformean’
　　th’byes，Toole。Yehavesoakedusoutofoffice，wanan’allofus。Iwantt’bealone。Itisalloverwithus。Goawnaway。"
　　TooleandtheKeeperoftheWaterGoatsstolesilentlyfromtheroomandoutintothestreet。Faganwasthefirsttospeak。
　　"Howwaswet’knowthimdongolaswouldsoakinwatherthatway，Toole？"hesaiddefensively。"Howwaswet’knowtheywasnotth’wather-proofkindofdongolas？"
　　ThelittlealdermanfromtheFourthWardwalkedsilentlybytheKeeper’sside。Hisheadwasdowncastandhishandswereclaspedbeneaththetailsofhiscoat。SuddenlyhelookedFaganfullintheface。
　　"’Twasourfault，Fagan，"hesaid。"’Twasallourfault。Ifwedidn’tknowthimdongolaswaswather-proofweshouldhavevarnishedthimbeforeweputthiminth’laket’soak。Idon’tblameyou，Fagan，foryedidnotknowannybetter，butIblamemesilf。ForIcallt’mindnowthatmefatheralwaysvarnishedth’dongolasbeforehesoakedthimovernight。’Takenochances，Mike，’heusedt’sayt’me，’alwaysvarnishthimfirrst。Someofthimisrubberyan’willnotsoakupwather，butsomeisspongy，an’’tisbestt’varnishonean’allofthim。"’
　　"Thinkofthatnow！"exclaimedFaganwithadmiration。"Sure，butthisnaturalhistoryisawonderfulscience，Toole！Tothinkthatthimanimalswasth’spongyhideddongolawatergoatsofforeignlands，an’usedt’bein’varnishedbeforeeachan’everybath！An’t’metheylookednodifferentfromth’goatsofmebyehood！Iwasnevercutoutforagoatkeeper，Mike。An’mejobonth’dump-cartisgone，too。’TwillbehardtimesforFagan。"
　　"’TwillbehardtimesforToole，too，"saidthelittlealderman，andtheywalkedonwithoutspeakinguntilFaganreachedhisgate。
　　"Well，annyhow，"hesaidwithcheerfulphilosophy，"’tisbettert’beusthantobethimdongolawatergoats——deadoralive。’TisnottoooftenItakeabath，Mike，butifIwaswanofthimspongy-hideddongolasan’hadt’bevarnishedeachtimeI
　　gotinmebathtub，Iwouldstopbathin’forgoodan’all。"
　　Helookedtowardthehouse。
　　"I’llnotworry，"hesaid。"Maggiewillbesadt’hearth’jobisgone，butshewouldhavetookithardert’knowherTimwaswastin’histimevarnishin’th’slabsideofaspongygoat。"