Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/217

 Freckles was by his side in a moment, trembling with fear and excitement.

Half a dozen circus hands were at once ealled. The favorite of the children had to be carried bodily from the ring, while Spanish children wept at the sight.

The veterinary, who always travels with the circus, inspected Sir Wilton's injury and then shook his head. To poor Freckles this shake of the head meant disaster. His first thought was that Dapples would have to be shot. But the veterinary, seeing his pale face, hastened to reassure him.

"Oh, no, son; it isn't as bad as that. We can mend him, but it will take a long time. He will have to be slung up for several weeks, and the leg will have to be in splints and perhaps a plaster cast. It means no more showing for you two for the rest of this South American trip. If there is a mix-up, you two seem to get into it."

Freckles hung upon the veterinarian's every movement as he arranged a swing