“S’cuse me, feller,” he said, apologetically. “It’s all you, ain’t it? My, oh my, what a whopper! Don’t I wisht I was you.”
“It’s all in the point of view,” laughed Dave. “We’ll see you after the show, George. Mr. Whiffin’s close about, you know. He might be kind of peevish if he saw us talking together. How are you, Zingar?”
The dwarf stood a trifle over three feet in height, and his diminutive person was also arrayed in gorgeous attire. A little round bullet head, with gray, whimsical eyes and a laughing mouth gave him the jolliest appearance of anybody connected with the Peerless show. He made a peculiar little curtsey to the boys, but, being a real professional curio of many years’ experience, did not condescend to speak.
The two soon followed the crowd into the main tent, which presented a gala appearance. Every available seat seemed to be taken and at every point of vantage a few late arrivals were standing.
The members of the “Ten Thousand Dollar” now filed into their places, and a few preliminary notes mingled in with all those peculiar sounds which seem inseparable from a great gathering—the swelling murmur of many voices, the shrill screech of some bold urchin and the monotonous chant of the peanut and pretzel seller.
By the time the band struck up the two had taken their seats.
After three selections had been played the crowd began to grow restive. A scattered stamping of feet soon grew into a dull, steady roar, until the bravest efforts of the “Ten Thousand” were drowned in the sea of sound.
Suddenly the clanging note of a gong was heard. A “grand triumphal and gorgeous spectacle of oriental and barbaric splendor” was about to make its entry. Gilded Roman chariots drawn by “fiery” steeds three abreast, followed by Colossus, Titan and Nero, each pulling a golden car and led by gentlemen whose skin was nicely stained came first. Next were men in armor carrying huge shields and spears, and over all lights flashed with bewildering effect.
The great Ollie Spudger himself, astride a coal black horse, and escorted by a cavalcade of Arabs and Japanese—at least, they bore a resemblance to Arabs and Japanese—bowed with condescending grace to the multitude.
“Great!” laughed Victor, gleefully.