"There, there; don't be sarcastic," she chided, giving him a playful tap. "If you feel strong enough, please help me up."
Phil did so smilingly; then he retired to his place by the center pole, against which he braced his aching back.
"Turn after you have gotten over the rough spot," he cautioned her.
Dimples nodded her understanding.
This time Phil held his breath as he saw her crouching ever so little for her spring.
Dimples uttered another shrill "yip!" and threw herself into the air again.
He saw, with keen satisfaction, that this time she was not going to miss. Dimples turned in the air with wonderful grace, alighting far back on the broad hips of the gray horse with bird-like lightness.
Phil doffed his hat, and, getting to his feet, limped away, with the audience roaring out its applause. They had forgotten all about the boy who but a few moments before had saved Little Dimples' life, and he was fully as well satisfied that it should be so.
Just as he was passing the bandstand the educated mule, with Teddy Tucker on its back, bolted through the curtains like a projectile. The mule nearly ran over Phil, then brought up suddenly to launch both heels at him. But the Circus Boy had seen this same mule in action before, and this time Phil had discreetly ducked under the bandstand.
Then the mule was off.