“My! You don’t know anything about a circus, do you?” laughed Tamba. “A parade is where the animals march, or are drawn, through the streets so the people can see them—at least see some of them, and that makes them want to come and see more. The elephants, camels and horses march, but you will be kept in your cage, I think, as I am, and as Nero is also.”
A little later the cages were hauled out again and, for the first time in his life, Shaggo took part in a circus parade. He looked out through the bars of his cage and saw crowds of people lining the streets. The bands played, the steam calliope tooted its queer music, and the wagon-load of clowns made the children laugh.
Then, once more, back to the circus grounds the mighty buffalo was taken, and a little later the circus performance started. Of the part that went on in the main tent, where the acrobats did their tricks, the clowns cut up funny capers and Tum Tum and Tamba went through their acts, Shaggo saw nothing.
The buffalo was kept in his cage, as were some of the other animals. It was their part in the show to be looked at, and a great throng gathered around Shaggo’s cage.
He stood and watched the people passing his cage. Once a man came along carrying a cane. Shaggo was standing still in one corner, for his shoulder hurt him.
“Hi there!” called the man sharply. “Move about there, Buffalo, and let’s see what you look like!” As he said this the man poked Shaggo with the cane. He prodded the buffalo on his sore shoulder, and Shaggo let out a loud bellow of pain and jumped to one side.
“Ha! I made him step lively!” cried this unkind man.
A moment later a small, shaggy animal, with a pointed nose and bright shining eyes, leaped at the man, showed his teeth and growled.
“Here! Let that buffalo alone!” Shaggo heard this new animal bark, and saw the man leap back in fright and run out of the tent.
“Thank you for not letting him poke me again,” said Shaggo to this shaggy animal. “Are you a wolf?”