Part 14 (2/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: TOBY AND THE LITTLE BOY CUSTOMERS.]

”I sha'n't want to stay,” said Toby. ”I wouldn't stay if I could ride all the horses at once, an' was gettin' a hundred dollars a day.”

”But you can't ride one horse, an' you hain't gettin' but a dollar a week, an' still I don't see any chance of your gettin' away yet awhile,”

said Ben, in a matter-of-fact tone, as he devoted his attention again to his horses, leaving Toby to his own sad reflections, and the positive conviction that boys who run away from home do not have a good time, except in stories.

The next forenoon, while Toby was deep in the excitement of selling to a boy no larger than himself, and with just as red hair, three cents'

worth of pea-nuts and two sticks of candy, and while the boy was trying to induce him to ”throw in” a piece of gum, because of the quant.i.ty purchased, Job Lord called him aside, and Toby knew that his troubles had begun.

”I want you to go in an' see Mr. Castle; he's goin' to show you how to ride,” said Mr. Lord, in as kindly a tone as if he were conferring some favor on the boy.

If Toby had dared to, he would have rebelled then and there and refused to go; but, as he hadn't the courage for such proceeding, he walked meekly into the tent and toward the ring.

CHAPTER XIV.

MR. CASTLE TEACHES TOBY TO RIDE.

When Toby got within sight of the ring he was astonished at what he saw.

A horse, with a broad wooden saddle, was being led slowly around the ring; Mr. Castle was standing on one side, with a long whip in his hand; and on the tent-pole, which stood in the centre of the ring, was a long arm, from which dangled a leathern belt attached to a long rope that was carried through the end of the arm and run down to the base of the pole.

Toby knew well enough why the horse, the whip, and the man were there, but the wooden projection from the tent-pole, which looked so much like a gallows, he could not understand at all.

”Come, now,” said Mr. Castle, cracking his whip ominously as Toby came in sight, ”why weren't you here before?”

”Mr. Lord just sent me in,” said Toby, not expecting that his excuse would be received, for they never had been since he had arrived at the height of his ambition by joining the circus.

”Then I'll make Mr. Job understand that I am to have my full hour of your time; and if I don't get it there'll be trouble between us.”

It would have pleased Toby very well to have had Mr. Castle go out with his long whip just then and make trouble for Mr. Lord; but Mr. Castle had not the time to spare, because of the trouble which he was about to make for Toby, and that he commenced on at once.

”Well, get in here, and don't waste any more time,” he said, sharply.

Toby looked around curiously for a moment, and, not understanding exactly what he was expected to get in and do, asked, ”What shall I do?”

”Pull off your boots, coat, and vest.”

Since there was no other course than to learn to ride, Toby wisely concluded that the best thing he could do would be to obey his new master without question; so he began to take off his clothes with as much alacrity as if learning to ride was the one thing upon which he had long set his heart.

Mr. Castle was evidently accustomed to prompt obedience, for he not only took it as a matter of course but endeavored to hurry Toby in the work of undressing.

With his desire to please, and urged by Mr. Castle's words and the ominous shaking of his whip, Toby's preparations were soon made, and he stood before his instructor clad only in his s.h.i.+rt, trousers, and stockings.

The horse was led around to where he stood, and when Mr. Castle held out his hand to help him to mount Toby jumped up quickly without aid, thereby making a good impression at the start as a willing lad.

”Now,” said the instructor, as he pulled down the leathern belt which hung from the rope, and fastened it around Toby's waist, ”stand up in the saddle, and try to keep there. You can't fall, because the rope will hold you up, even if the horse goes out from under you; but it isn't hard work to keep on, if you mind what you are about; and if you don't this whip will help you. Now stand up.”

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