Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/102

 was not until he had advanced within three or four yards of where Dapples was munching his oats that Freckles recognized Tony Riata, the discharged boyrider whose place he was to take. Instinctively Freckles stooped behind the black pony and watched Tony from his place of concealment. The boy looked carefully about to see that none of the grooms were in the tent, then he quickly slipped in beside Dapples.

"Eating your supper, are you, you stubborn little fool? Well, I will teach them to shake me and then fire me. I will show them. I'm a bad boy, and I guess they will find it out, too."

With these words he took a small package from his pocket, and, again looking about to see that he was alone, he scattered its contents over Dapples's oats.

Dapples crowded over against the black pony, to get as far as possible from his late cruel driver. Freckles stood on his tiptoes to see what it was that Tony had done