Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/92

 teach you to threaten this show. Now git."

The now thoroughly frightened boy did not need a further invitation, but very promptly "got."

Freckles went up to Dapples and tenderly stroked the whip marks on his sides. He was boiling with rage. He wanted to go after the boy and thrash him within an inch of his life, although he was much larger than Freckles. There were tears in his eyes, and several of them coursed down his freckled face. The ringmaster saw it and was amazed.

"I see you like horses, boy," he said kindly.

"I love them," blurted Freckles. "Why, I would kill the man or boy that would lick this little horse. I'd like to see that feller for a few minutes behind the poor-farm barn."

An idea came to the ringmaster. It came like an inspiration. He was used to taking a chance, and he was now in trou-