On the whole, he liked his new life. The grand parade, on pleasant mornings, was always a delightful experience.
Looking his very best, he rode on the back of Jumbo, the great elephant, (Billy and he were soon the best of friends), at the head of the procession, while his monkey band, who were always imitating his example when they possibly could, rode on the backs of the other elephants. How the crowds shouted and cheered and laughed as they moved by! It was all music in Billy’s ears, and it seemed to him that he could never tire of it.
The afternoon and evening performances furnished two more opportunities each day for Billy and the monkeys to show themselves to vast and always admiring audiences.
HE RODE ON THE BACK OF JUMBO, THE GREAT ELEPHANT.
The manager of the Circus was never better pleased than at his great luck at having secured such an attraction. It was proving, as he had foretold, the best-paying season in all the long and successful history of the great Show. For this reason, as one can easily see, he made things as pleasant as he possibly could for Billy. Both he and the monkeys were furnished all the time with the things that they liked best to eat, and nothing was left undone that could add to their comfort and enjoyment.
The Circusman felt in his bones that King Billy was a very independent person who might at any time, if things did not go to suit him, kick out of the traces and there was no telling what might happen then. The monkeys, without him to lead them, would not be worth their salt as actors. There had been convincing proof of this one day when Billy was so sick that he could not lead them into the ring on account of having eaten too much ice cream with chocolate dressing the night before.
The audience was so disappointed that there came near being a riot and a great many demanded their money back.
After that great pains were taken with Billy’s diet, and his health was most carefully guarded.