At the end of fifteen minutes, out came Billy on the back of the big black charger followed by his weary and panting but none the less happy band. The monkeys did not seem to object in the least to the fact that Billy worked them almost to death.
If the crowd of spectators had been enthusiastic in the afternoon, they were vociferous in their applause in the evening. Such cheering and hand-clapping had never been heard in the big tent before.
“It means,” said the manager, talking the matter over with the treasurer, “that this will be the biggest money-making season this show has ever known. Now is the time for us both to ask for a good big increase in our pay.” No wonder he was pleased.
Soon all was noise, bustle and confusion. The time had come to pack up and get aboard the train preparatory to going to the next city.
The question where and with whom Billy Whiskers was to ride soon came up for settlement. As he had expected, Mike and Jim were told to take care of him and see to it that he had the best of everything.
“We’ll put him in a big box by himself for tonight,” proposed Mike, “and after this a place can be fixed for him in the car with the Shetland ponies.”
“All right,” returned the manager, “but take care that he goes through in good shape. I wouldn’t take ten thousand dollars for that goat right now. He’ll be worth ten times that money to this show before the end of the season.”
Billy, who was keenly watching, saw Mike wink at Jim when this was said. It made him anxious for he knew it would make them more determined to steal him than ever. During the excitement of the performance, he had forgotten all about their scheme, but now it came back to him in a hurry and he wondered if he had been wise in trusting his personal safety altogether to Colonel Mandrill and his family.
“Well, it’s too late now to make any new plans,” thought Billy. “If the monkeys can’t save me, I’m lost to this show. But if Mike and Jim think that they can do as they please with me, even if they succeed in boxing me up and leaving me on the depot platform, they are mightily mistaken. I’ll show them a thing or two that they don’t seem to know. For a penny, I’d start in right now. It seems just as though it would feel good and rest my head to butt into big Mike.” But he thought better of it and resolved to wait.