Billy sees, recognizes the danger, and with a leap is down and over the fence, into the middle of the course, and lowering those magnificent horns, hooks the clothes of the baby, and, never stopping to turn to retreat, dashes on across, just in time to escape the onrush of the racers as they round the bend.
What shouts! What hurrahs! The crowd goes wild in its frenzied admiration. Losing all fear of such an animal, Billy is grasped by three sturdy men, baby is lifted safely up and tenderly placed in the outstretched arms of the mother, and then Billy is borne high on the shoulders of the men, a conquering hero. Of course he struggles—what goat wouldn’t?—and yet finds himself powerless, for his feet are held by men who grip him with hands of iron and with an immense following, they carry him around to the grandstand and then over to the platform where the judges sit. Up the steps they go, and there, with thousands and thousands of witnesses, the master of ceremonies decks Billy out with a blue ribbon bow, and again shouts of admiration fairly rend the heavens.
No more racing to-day. Interest in fleet horses has suddenly died, and through the megaphone come these words:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have just witnessed the brave act of a dumb animal. A goat has done what no man had brains to conceive nor daring to put into execution. Ladies and gentlemen, the races are called off, and, in honor of the goat hero of the day, there will be given on the race course a grand parade of all the animals exhibited at the Fair. You are requested to keep your seats and witness the grand finale of the Licking County Annual Fair.
A buzz of excitement followed this change of program, and necks were craned and all were agog.
In a very few minutes their consuming curiosity was satisfied for there was a long line of animals parading the circle, and at their head was no other than Billy Whiskers, proud of his position, but still prouder that at last his animal friends were receiving the recognition they merited.
As the crowd recognized the leader of the procession, three mighty cheers went up, and when Billy bowed his thanks for this overture—just as he had done countless times during a Circus performance—the people went wild, and hurrah after hurrah greeted him.
