Slowly the great beasts lowered themselves toward the sawdust
ring.
"Stoop over and grab the harness!"
Phil did so.
"Sit! Let go, Emperor!"
The trunk was released instantly and Phil plumped to the beast's
head once more, amid the wildest applause.
The band swung into another tune, which was the signal for the
next act to be brought on. At the same time the ringmaster blew
a shrill blast on his whistle.
The trainer left the ring with his charges by an exit that he
seldom departed through. But he did so in order to leave Phil
near the place where his seats were, first having ascertained
where these were located.
"Put him down, Emperor! Down, I say!"
Emperor reached up an unwilling trunk, grasped Phil about the
waist and stood him on the ground. At the trainer's command the
beast released his hold of his friend and as the hook was gently
pressed against his side to hurry him, Emperor started
reluctantly away.
Phil, with flushed face, a happy look in his eyes, had turned to
run up the aisle to his seats, when, with a loud trumpeting,
Emperor wheeled, and breaking away from his trainer, swept down
toward the spot where he had left Phil Forrest.
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