Part 4 (1/2)

Manuel, in the meantime, had drawn closer, paying strict attention to the words of the ringmaster.

”You give money for riding the burro?” questioned the little Spaniard.

”Burro? This is no Mexican burro, this is a donkey!” sniffed Teddy contemptuously.

The ringmaster instantly scented an opportunity to have some fun, and at the same time make the audience laugh. He glanced about to see if Mr. Sparling were under the big top, and not seeing him, instantly decided to take a long chance.

”Do you think you can ride January, sir?”

”I ride burro.”

”Very well, it is your privilege to do so if you can. Ladies and gentlemen, this clown has never before attempted this feat.

He thinks he can ride the donkey. If he succeeds he will receive the reward offered by the management of the show, just the same as you would have done had you performed the feat.”

Teddy stroked January's nose, then leaning over, the Circus Boy whispered in the animal's ear.

”January,” he said, ”you've got a solemn duty to perform.

If you s.h.i.+rk it you are no longer a friend of mine, and you get no more candy--understand? No more candy.”

January curled his upper lip ever so little and brayed dismally.

”That's right; I knew you would agree to the sentiment.”

”Get away from his head, Master Teddy. The Spanish clown is about to distinguish himself,” announced the ringmaster.

Manuel was an agile little fellow. While the announcement was being made he had been taking mental measurement of the beast and deciding upon his course of action.

Ere Teddy had stepped back the Spaniard took a running start, and, with a leap, landed fairly on the back of the donkey.

The latter, taken by surprise, cleared the ground with all four feet and bucked, but the rider had flung his arms about the donkey's neck, clinging with both feet to the beast's body, grimly determined to win that hundred dollars or die in the attempt.

”Go it, January,” encouraged Teddy. ”Give it to him!

Soak him hard!”

January stood on his hind feet, then on his head, as it were, but still the Spaniard clung doggedly.

By this time the donkey had begun to get angry. He had been taken an unfair advantage of and he did not like it. Suddenly he launched into a perfect volley of kicks, each kick giving the rider such a violent jolt that he was rapidly losing his hold.

”Keep it up! Keep it up! You've got him!” exulted the Circus Boy.

The audience was howling with delight.

”There he goes!” shrieked Teddy.

Manuel, now as helpless as a s.h.i.+p without a rudder, was being buffeted over the back of the plunging animal.

Manuel was yelling in his native language, but if anyone understood what he was saying, that one gave no heed. Teddy, on the other hand, was urging January with taunt and prod of the ringmaster's whip.

Suddenly the Spanish clown was bounced over the donkey's rump, landing on the animal's hocks. It was January's moment--the moment he had been cunningly waiting and planning for.