Part 16 (1/2)
Teddy was nearly crowded off the gangplank.
”See here, where are you going? Don't you know there's a crazy donkey in there?”
”Going to my cabin to seek sweet repose,” squeaked Marie.
”What! Are you going to live on this boat?”
”That's what. If I can get up to the sky parlor where my 'boodwah' is. Come, help me up the stairs; that's a good boy, Teddy.”
”I helped you once. That was enough for me. Say, Marie?”
”What is it, my lad?”
”If the boat should be wrecked in one of the terrible storms that sweep this raging river you had better grab the anchor the first thing.”
”Why grab the anchor?”
”You'll sink quicker,” laughed the Circus Boy, darting out to the dock and leaning against a wagon wheel.
By this time Mr. Sparling had descended from his haven of safety, and began issuing orders again.
”Get the bulls in now. No more nonsense. Teddy, you did a good job, but it took you a long time to do it.”
”Yes, sir. Do you think anybody else could have done it quicker?”
”I know they could not. Where is Phil?”
”Guess he went back to his cabin after I finished off January.
Going to load the elephants, did you say?”
”Yes.”
”Aren't you afraid they will sink the boat?”
”Don't bother us now. You know we did not bother you when you were trying to get your livestock in.”
”I noticed that you didn't,” answered Teddy, humorously, which remark brought a shout of laughter from everyone within hearing of his voice.
Mr. Kennedy, the elephant-trainer, now ranged his charges in line, with Jupiter, the ill-tempered member of the herd, in the lead. He wanted to get Jupiter in ahead, knowing that the others would follow willingly enough after him. Emperor, the great beast that had such a warm regard for Phil, was third in the line.
”Everybody keep away and don't make a racket or they will get nervous. I expect to have a little trouble with those bulls the first time. After that they will go one board as meek as a flock of spring mutton,” declared Kennedy.
Teddy was close at hand. If there was any prospect of trouble or excitement he wanted to be near enough not to miss a single feature of it.
Mr. Kennedy gave the command for attention.
Each of the elephants to the rear of Jupiter stretched forth a trunk and grasped the tail of the elephant directly in front of him.
”Forward, march!”