"Ten double jiggers to one you can't do it," said Slugger Jones, lazily.
"Give me the tie," responded Phillips.
More to continue the joke than for any other reason, Turkey detached the green and yellow cross tie, which was his joy, and tendered it. What was his amazement to see Goat Phillips calmly set to work to devour it, and to devour it to the very last shred in the most classic goat-fashion.
When he had swallowed the last mouthful he stood stock-still and gazed at his shrieking audience. Then he began to have doubts; then he began to have premonitions. Then he ended by having settled on rather the most unsettling convictions. The consideration of the act came after the accomplishment, but it came with terrifying force. What would happen now?
"Turkey," he said, grown very solemn, "you don't think I'm going to be poisoned, do you?"
Turkey became serious at once. Everyone became serious.
"What do you fellows think?" said Turkey, addressing the crowd.
No one had any opinions to volunteer. There were no precedents to go by.
"He might get ptomaine poisoning," finally suggested Shy Thomas.
"What's that?" said Goat, horrified. Shy was forced to confess that he did not know. Hungry Smeed thought it was when you cut your toe on an oyster shell.