All at once the baboon saw his opportunity. The keeper had
stooped over to pick up something from the floor of the boat,
as he stood at the open door of the cage in the rear.
Bruiser projected himself toward the opening like a catapult.
At that instant the keeper had straightened up and the baboon
hit him squarely in the face. There could be but one result.
The keeper tumbled over on his back.
Chattering joyously, Bruiser began hopping off on all fours.
First he investigated the tops of the cages, running over them
and bringing roars from the animals within. Then he hopped down
and paid a visit to the horses.
January sent a volley of kicks at the beast, but Bruiser was too
quick, and the hoofs passed harmlessly over his head.
About this time the keeper had scrambled to his feet in alarm.
At first he did not know where the baboon had gone, but hearing
the disturbance among the horses he ran that way, soon coming
upon Bruiser. With a scream of defiance, the animal bolted up
the companionway, hurriedly investigated the corridors and the
main cabin, then leaped out through an open window to the
hurricane deck.
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