One instant Teddy would be standing on his head on the mule's
back, the next lying on his back with feet toward the animal's
head. Next he would be dragged along the ground, to be plumped
back again at the next bounce.
No feat seemed too difficult for Jumbo to attempt that day.
"Stop him! Stop him!" howled the ringmaster.
Ring attendants rushed forward to obey his command, but they
might as well have tried to stop a tornado. Jumbo eluded them
without the least trouble, but their efforts to keep out of range
of his flying hoofs were not so easy. Some of them had narrow
escapes from being seriously injured.
Mr. Sparling, attracted by the roars of laughter of the audience
and the unusual disturbance, had hurried into the big top, where
he stood, at first in amazement, then with a broad grin
overspreading his countenance.
Now Jumbo began a race with himself about the arena, following
the concourse, now and then sending his heels into the air right
over the heads of the spectators of the lower row of seats,
sending them scrambling under the seats for protection.
A clown ran out with half a dozen paper covered hoops, which he
was holding in readiness for the next bareback act.
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