gander-pulling

A brutal species of amusement practised in Nova Scotia. We quote Judge Halliburton's account of it from the Sayings and Doings of Sam Slick:

"'But describe this gander-pulling.'

"'Well, I'll tell you how it is,' sais I. 'First and foremost, a ring-road is formed, like a small race-course; then two great long posts is fixed into the ground, one on each side of the road, and a rope made fast by the eends to each post, leavin' the middle of the rope to hang loose in a curve. Well, then they take a gander and pick his breast as clean as a baby's, and then grease it most beautiful all the way from the breast to the head, till it becomes as slippery as a soaped eel. Then they tie both his legs together with a strong piece of cord, of the size of a halyard, and hang him by the feet to the middle of the swingin' rope, with his head downward. All the youngsters, all round the country, come to see the sport, mounted a horseback.

"'Well, the owner of the goose goes round with his hat, and gets so much a-piece in it from every one that enters for the 'Pullin'," and when all have entered, they bring their horses in a line, one arter another, and at the words "Go a-head!" off they set, as hard as they can split; and as they pass under the goose, make a grab at him, and whoever carries off the head wins.

"'Well, the goose dodges his head and flaps his wings, and swings about so, it aint no easy matter to clutch his neck; and when you do, it's so greassy, it slips right through the fingers like nothin'. Sometimes it takes so long, that the horses are fairly beat out, and can't scarcely raise a gallop; and then a man stands by the post, with a heavy loaded whip, to lash 'em on, so that they mayn't stand under the goose, which aint fair. The whootin,' and hollerin', and screamin', and bettin', and excitement, beats all; there aint hardly no sport equal to it. It is great fun to all except the poor goosey-gander.'"