The audience by this time was in a tempest of excitement. At
first they thought it was all a part of the show. But they were
soon undeceived, which made their enjoyment and appreciation all
the greater.
Jumbo took a final sprint about the arena, Teddy's legs and free
arm most of the time in the air. He had long since lost his
clown's cap, which Jumbo, espying, had kicked off into the
audience.
"You fool mule! You fool mule!" bellowed Mr. Sparling.
Jumbo suddenly decided that he would go back to the paddock.
With him, to decide was to act. Taking a fresh burst of speed,
he shot straight at the red curtains. To reach these he was
obliged to pass close to the bandstand, where the band was
playing as if the very existence of the show depended upon them.
Teddy's grip was relaxing. His arm was so benumbed that he could
not feel that he had any arm on that side at all.
His fingers slowly relaxed their grip on the cinch girth. In a
moment he had bounced back to the educated mule's rump. In
another instant he would be plumped to the hard ground with a
jolt that would shake him to his foundations.
But Jumbo had other plans--more spectacular plans--in mind.
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