tempers and when they got the other kids down, they hooked and
tramped them unmercifully. I don't like that! They must fight fair and
keep to the rules of boxing, and not beat up their adversaries when
they are down."

"Come here, kids," said their grandfather. "If you will promise to be
good all the rest of the day, I will tell you a story of the Great War
and of some of the things that happened to Uncle Stubby and Uncle
Button and myself when fighting in the army."

CHAPTER XVI

A PANTHER ESCAPES FROM THE CAGE

The Billy Whiskers family as well as all the Angora goats were
enjoying themselves listening to Billy, Stubby and Button tell war
stories, when they noticed great excitement among the people in the
Park, who began running in all directions, screaming as they ran.

"What can the matter be?" they asked one another. "I'll go over by the
fence that leads along the walk," suggested Billy, "and listen and see
if I cannot find out what is frightening the people so. Something
important must have happened for they all look so scared and
palefaced."

[Illustration]

All the larger goats went with Billy, while the mothers and young
Nannies stayed behind.

"Where are the kids?" called out Daisy. "They were here just a minute
ago."

"I guess they have gone with their father and grandfather," replied
Nannie.

"I shall have to go after them then for they are sure to get into
trouble, and besides I want them with me if anything happens."

[Illustration]

"Yes, bring them back, and I will look after one and not let him out
of my sight a moment, while you look out for the other."

"You stay here," commanded Stubby, who had not yet joined the crowd by
the fence. "I'll bring them both back."

And presently they saw Stubby driving the two kids in front of him. If
they tried to turn back, he snapped at their heels, and if they tried
to separate, he grabbed them by the neck and made them march straight
to where their mother and grandmother were waiting.

The Twins were crying and pleading to go back. "Uncle Stubby, do let
us go back! We want to see the escaped panther! We never saw one!"
they said.

"Escaped panther, did I hear them say?" Daisy asked Stubby.

"Yes. One of the largest panthers has escaped. When his keeper opened
the cage door to put in a bucket of water, he opened the door a little
wider than usual, and the panther that was lying on a ledge in the
upper part of the cage leaped for the