“Here! Here! Get off that mule!” shouted the animal’s trainer. “He’s going on!”
“Let him go!” roared clowns and other performers.
Jumbo had never made as quick a start in all his circus career as he did that day. He fairly leaped into the air, though only one man understood the reason for the mule’s sudden move.
With a bray that was heard all over the big top Jumbo burst through the red curtains like a tornado. There he paused for one brief instant, as if uncertain whether to do a certain thing or not.
Recalling the ringmaster’s words, the spectators at first were at a loss to account for the odd-looking figure that was clinging to the back of the educated mule.
Suddenly they broke out into roars of laughter, while the performers peering through the red curtain fairly howled with delight.
Teddy was hanging to the cinch girth uncertain what to do. The ringmaster, amazed beyond words, stood gaping at the spectacle, for the moment powerless to use his usually ready tongue.
Jumbo launched into the arena.
“Get off!” thundered the ringmaster, suddenly recovering himself.
“I can’t!” howled Teddy, though from present indications it appeared as if he would dismount without any effort on his own part.