"Whose is he ?" she asked.
"You--you mean who he b'longs to ?" queried Uncle Billy, fencing for time in which to prepare a quasi-truthful reply.

"He--he don' b'long to _nobody_.

He's his _own_ rooster." "William!" commanded Mrs.Cary, severely.

"Look at me.

_Where_ did you get him ?" Here was a situation which Uncle Billy knew must be handled promptly, and he picked up the rooster and made an attempt to escape.