Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/183

 from him, and backed him out of the stall.

The smoke and the heat were now becoming unendurable. With all possible haste, he groped his way blindly to the door. He must be quick if he would save both himself and Dapples. The smoke was choking him like a great hand laid upon his throat. It also seemed that a heavy weight was on his chest. Then he stumbled into the outer daylight where strong hands caught both him and the end of Dapples's halter. They had barely dragged the two to safety when the roof fell in and a great shower of sparks flamed up to the heavens. It was a mighty close call, as Big Bill said, but, even so, Freckles fainted as he saw the building collapse.

He came back to life, however, a few minutes later, and found himself lying en the grass, while half a dozen of the circus people crowded about him.

"Is Sir Wilton all right?" he gasped feebly.