The crisp whirr of wheels and the thud of a horse’s hoofs was sounding close behind them. Dave stepped to one side, and, by the light from a row of lanterns on the red wagon, saw a buggy containing two men rapidly approaching. Just after it had splashed past him one of the men spoke up.
The thin, rasping notes which poured forth at once proclaimed his identity; it was Mr. Peter Whiffin.
Dave, however, in the general confusion, amidst the noise of the storm and the shouts of the elephant keepers, could scarcely understand a word. The alarming actions of the big animals, too, occupied his undivided attention. Despite the frantic efforts of Scott and Robins, the pride of Spudger’s Peerless broke away, the largest almost sending his cumbersome body against the motor car.
The next few instants witnessed a scene which made even the nerves of steady-going Dave Brandon tingle with excitement. It was impossible to tell which way the animals might turn, and any one standing in the road ran great danger of being knocked down and trampled under foot.
But the movement of the big creatures was not left long in doubt. With another loud trumpeting, Colossus wheeled away from the motor car, then started at a loping gait around the bend, closely followed by Titan and Nero.
“I know’d it! I know’d it!” yelled Joe. “An’ they’ll mash anythin’ flat what gits in their way.”
“After ’em, boys; after ’em!” rose the voice of Mr. Ollie Spudger, in despairing accents. “We don’t want no more suits for damages filed ag’in the show. If anybody as much as sees the beasts runnin’ loose they’ll sue, though only their feelin’s is hurt!”
Scott and Robins were already struggling through the mud and rain in a desperate effort to overtake their charges.
“After ’em for all you’re worth, boys!” bawled Spudger.
“Twenty-five cents for the feller what stops ’em!” roared Mr. Whiffin.