Part 8 (1/2)
”That's an inspiration as how _is_ an inspiration,” said Tom; ”it's funny how really first-cla.s.s ideas originate in unbalanced minds at times. d.i.c.k comes out real strong once in a while.”
”Thanks for your valued approval,” said d.i.c.k sarcastically; ”how do the rest of you fellows feel about it? Want to go?”
There was a general chorus of a.s.sent, and d.i.c.k gravely declared the proposition carried by a unanimous vote. ”I think it starts around half past two,” he said, ”and I guess we can all be there by that time, can't we?”
It appeared that everybody could, and after discussing incidents of circuses they had seen in the past the group dispersed to their respective rooms.
The next day was clear and bright, and at the appointed time the merry group met on the campus and took their way in high spirits toward the center of the town, where the circus had pitched its tents. Many others were going the same way, and numerous were the jokes and furious the repartee exchanged between the different groups. In a short time they reached the ”big top,” and after inspecting the grounds and gazing in mock wonder at the portraits of bearded ladies and wondrously thin ”living skeletons,” made for the gorgeously decorated ticket wagons and secured their tickets.
”It's more fun, of course,” said Tom, ”to crawl in under the canvas, but I'm afraid that wouldn't be quite dignified enough for me. The rest of you can go in that way if you like, however. Don't let me interfere with your pleasure.”
”If you get off much more of that stuff we'll show the crowd a 'Christian martyr' stunt by feeding you to the lions,” threatened Bert.
”Maybe the animals could appreciate you better than we can.”
”Yes, I've heard that in many respects animals are wiser than men,”
retorted Tom, ”and I wouldn't be surprised at that. I don't see how they could have much less sense than some people I know.”
”I wonder if he means us?” inquired Bert seriously. ”It hardly seems possible, does it?”
”Oh, no, I wasn't thinking of you at all,” said Tom. ”I was thinking of the faculty when I said that.”
”Well,” said Bert amid a general laugh, ”in that case we'll forgive all your past offenses and start you off with a clean slate. Your sentiments regarding the faculty do you credit.”
By this time the group found themselves opposite the beginning of the row of cages containing the menagerie, and started out on a tour of inspection. There was a big crowd and progress could only be made at a snail's pace. By the time they had reached the elephants it was close on to the time set for the show to begin, and after feeding the big brutes a few peanuts they hurried into the main tent. They secured seats near the top of the high tier of loose planks placed on trestles, and settled themselves to enjoy the performance. Before ascending to their places they had amply provided themselves with popcorn and peanuts, without which, as one of the fellows remarked, a ”circus wasn't a circus.”
The circus was one of the smaller variety, but had a reputation of giving a first-cla.s.s exhibition, and in the opinion of some of the spectators was more satisfactory to watch than one of the big shows, where the very multiplicity of attractions made it difficult for the spectator to really enjoy anything. The onlooker's attention is drawn by a burst of applause in some distant line of seats, and while he is trying to make out what is going on there he misses, most likely, the act that is being performed near him.
This circus had only two rings, but the acts presented were of a high character and our friends enjoyed everything from the opening parade to the final act, in which a man ”looped the loop” on a bicycle. At the conclusion of this feat, d.i.c.k leaned over toward Bert. ”Why don't you try that stunt on a bicycle some time, Bert?” he inquired, ”it ought to be a cinch for you.”
”Too easy, too easy,” laughed Bert, ”give me something hard while you're about it. Just the same,” he added more seriously, ”it is a mighty hard stunt, and requires nerve and skill of the highest sort. Personally, I'd rather make a living some other way.”
By this time they were able to make their way through the throng to the main entrance, and were just pa.s.sing through into the outer tent when they were startled by hearing shouts and screams from the direction of the animal cages. There was a wild flurry and commotion in the crowd in front of them, and suddenly they saw a great tawny form flying through the air. The people in the path of the beast scattered wildly to left and right, and the brute landed on the sawdust floor without doing any damage. He stood there a moment glaring about him, swis.h.i.+ng his tail angrily back and forth. Meanwhile there was a mad scramble for the exits, and many persons were thrown down and trampled in the crush.
The group of collegians had stood stupefied for a few minutes watching the escaped lion, for such the animal proved to be. The big brute seemed bewildered by the crowds and the shouting, and knew not what use to make of his new-found freedom. But suddenly he emitted a deep roar, and bounded toward the main exit, in which a struggling, shouting crowd was now solidly packed. Suddenly Bert sprang into action. ”Head him off!
head him off!” he shouted and, suiting the action to the word, started diagonally toward the entrance. Tom and d.i.c.k were close after him, followed by the more courageous of their companions. By this time several of the animal keepers and trainers had also struggled through the press, and were hot in pursuit of the fleeing lion. But they were too far behind to be of any good, and the lion would surely have dashed headlong into the packed ma.s.s of humanity had not Bert and the others with him intervened. They waved their hats and shouted, and the lion, somewhat taken aback, halted for a second. Then he gathered himself together and, with a mighty bound, leaped clear over their heads. With another spring he cleared the crowd at the entrance, and was free. He hesitated a moment, looking this way and that, and then, just as one of the keepers, a rifle in his hand, reached the tent entrance, bounded swiftly forward and disappeared around a corner.
The trainers started out in hot pursuit, accompanied by Bert and his friends. ”I don't want to shoot him,” panted the man with the rifle as he ran, ”he's worth five thousand dollars. He's one of the finest lions in captivity, and his loss would mean a bad blow to the outfit. But if I get a crack at him I'll shoot, just the same. We can't run the risk of trying to capture him alive.”
It was not difficult to trace the lion's path, although not once did they actually catch sight of him. Distant shouts and cries told of the beast's progress, and their path was lined by closely shut doors and pale faces peering from upper windows. Soon they reached the outskirts of the town and then, in the more open country, were able to catch a glimpse of their quarry. He was about half a mile distant, and evidently making directly for a dense piece of woodland just ahead of him. Soon he disappeared among the trees, and the man carrying the rifle, who was evidently the head trainer, called a halt.
”How far do those woods extend?” he asked Bert.
”Not very far,” replied Bert. ”I should say there's not more than a square mile of woodland, at most.”
”Well, then,” said the other, ”the chances are ten to one that Leo will stick to the trees, and not come out unless he has to. In that case, all we have to do is surround the place to see that he doesn't get away.
Then I don't think we'll have much trouble recapturing him.”
As this seemed to be the opinion of his a.s.sistants, too, their leader sent one of them back to the circus to make a report and bring out reinforcements, and then made plans to surround the strip of woods. By this time quite a crowd had collected, and the animal trainer selected volunteers to set up a guard about the trees and give warning if the lion attempted to break cover.
”All you have to do,” he explained, ”is to climb a tree near where I post you, and if you see anything of the lion, sing out. He can't climb a tree, of course, so you'll be perfectly safe.”