And so Colonel Mandrill did as he was requested and politely invited Billy to draw near.
At first Billy was shy, but he could see no possible danger, and the whole group looked so good-natured and jolly that with only a moment’s delay he stepped quite close to the door of the cage where the space between the wires was a little greater than elsewhere.
The monkeys began by asking all about who he was, where he came from, scarcely giving him any chance to reply. Then they told him, all talking at once, how pleased they were that he had made such a confusion among the freaks and how tickled they had been to see the fat lady, who it seems never had a pleasant word for any of them, going through the floor.
They began now in whispers to ask Billy if he could not get them out of their cage and to tell him how everlasting sick they were of being shut up.
Billy drew nearer so that he could hear better and just started explaining how impossible it was for him to do anything for them when, without warning and as quick as a flash, the old blue-faced Mandrill monkey or baboon reached out a long gray arm and grabbed Billy firmly by his proud whiskers.
“You’ll either get us out of here or we’ll pull you in,” said he.
CHAPTER VIII
CHOSEN LEADER
“QUIT that,” shouted Billy, as he pulled and jerked, trying to break away from the grip that held him fast.
“No, you don’t,” said old Blue Nose. “I’ve got you now and I say to you again, either you get us out of here or in you come if I have to pull you to pieces.”