"
Teddy stroked January's nose, then leaning over, the Circus Boy
whispered in the animal's ear.
"January," he said, "you've got a solemn duty to perform.
If you shirk it you are no longer a friend of mine, and you
get no more candy--understand? No more candy."
January curled his upper lip ever so little and brayed dismally.
"That's right; I knew you would agree to the sentiment."
"Get away from his head, Master Teddy. The Spanish clown is
about to distinguish himself," announced the ringmaster.
Manuel was an agile little fellow. While the announcement was
being made he had been taking mental measurement of the beast
and deciding upon his course of action.
Ere Teddy had stepped back the Spaniard took a running start,
and, with a leap, landed fairly on the back of the donkey.
The latter, taken by surprise, cleared the ground with all
four feet and bucked, but the rider had flung his arms about
the donkey's neck, clinging with both feet to the beast's
body, grimly determined to win that hundred dollars or die
in the attempt.
"Go it, January," encouraged Teddy.
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