The crisp whirr of wheels and the thud of a horse’s hoofs2 was sounding close behind them. Dave stepped to one side, and, by the light from a row of lanterns on the red wagon3, saw a buggy containing two men rapidly approaching. Just after it had splashed past him one of the men spoke4 up.
The thin, rasping notes which poured forth5 at once proclaimed his identity; it was Mr. Peter Whiffin.
Dave, however, in the general confusion, amidst the noise of the storm and the shouts of the elephant keepers, could scarcely understand a word. The alarming actions of the big animals, too, occupied his undivided attention.[230] Despite the frantic6 efforts of Scott and Robins7, the pride of Spudger’s Peerless broke away, the largest almost sending his cumbersome8 body against the motor car.
The next few instants witnessed a scene which made even the nerves of steady-going Dave Brandon tingle9 with excitement. It was impossible to tell which way the animals might turn, and any one standing10 in the road ran great danger of being knocked down and trampled11 under foot.
But the movement of the big creatures was not left long in doubt. With another loud trumpeting13, Colossus wheeled away from the motor car, then started at a loping gait around the bend, closely followed by Titan and Nero.
“After ’em, boys; after ’em!” rose the voice of Mr. Ollie Spudger, in despairing accents. “We don’t want no more suits for damages filed ag’in the show. If anybody as much as sees the beasts runnin’ loose they’ll sue, though only their feelin’s is hurt!”
Scott and Robins were already struggling[231] through the mud and rain in a desperate effort to overtake their charges.
“Twenty-five cents for the feller what stops ’em!” roared Mr. Whiffin.
“I’ll take a chanc’t on gittin’ them five nickels!” shouted Joe, snatching a lantern from its place on the wagon and dashing off.
Dave Brandon was conscious of the fact that the automobilists, after a sharp passage of words with Mr. Whiffin, had gone on, apparently16 thinking that the elephants would soon be under control.
“That’s the way with them automobile17 fellers,” he heard Mr. Whiffin exclaim. “Don’t keer what happens as long as they have their fling.”
Then the buggy wheels began grinding through the mud again. Mr. Spudger and his manager were in hot pursuit of elephants and men.
Dave stood, irresolute18, then:
“Yes, I’ll do it,” he exclaimed, grimly. “As Joe says, if those animals should happen to bump into anything—whew!”
[232]“What’s all that queer mumbling19 down there, Brownie?” cried Victor. “Hey—where are you going?”
Without making any reply, Dave unhooked a lantern from the side of the wagon and made a dash to the rear.
The rays of light flashed over three horses, whose dilated20 nostrils21 and gleaming eyes gave indication of their frightened state. They strained and tugged22 frantically23 in an effort to pull away.
“Whoa, boy, whoa!” exclaimed Dave, soothingly24, to the nearest, a coal black animal. “Whoa, boy!”
“Here’s where some of my cowboy experience will come in nicely,” he murmured. “Whoa there, old chap!” His hand gently stroked a quivering, glossy26 neck. “Whoa, I say!”
Working near those swinging bodies, in a dim light, with rain and wind beating relentlessly27 upon him, had an element of danger in it which lent spice to the situation. Dave’s lantern, slung28 over his arm, sent curious[233] patches of shadow dancing across the ground and reflected in sharp metallic29 dashes in water and ooze30.
In a few moments the lad succeeded in untying31 the rope. The black horse, freed, reared and plunged32; but Dave’s strong grip on the halter could not be shaken off.
“It won’t be so easy riding you, old boy, with no bridle33 or saddle,” he muttered, “but here goes!”
“For gracious’ sake, what are you about, Brandon?” screeched34 Victor, in alarm, for the first time realizing his intention. “Look out, you silly thing; you’ll get tossed or be mashed35 into a jelly!”
“Great Scott!” he cried, breathlessly.
“I’ll be back soon, Vic,” shouted Dave.
He pressed his knees against the animal’s side, leaned far over on its neck to escape the full force of the storm, then, with both hands gripping the halter, held on tight as the horse shot forward.
Victor saw him being carried swiftly[234] around the bend, the lantern over his arm swaying violently, and heard the sound of pounding hoofs growing faint in the distance.
“By George, but that chap has wonderful nerve!”
Meanwhile, all of Dave Brandon’s skill in horsemanship was called into play. The spirited black horse, frantic with fear, galloped41 furiously along the slippery road, while Dave, jolted42 and shaken, sawed hard on the leather straps43 of the halter.
“Look out!” he yelled.
His ringing voice was added to the warning of clattering44 hoofs.
Two dusky forms edged with sharp lights from the rays of their lanterns sprang hastily to the side of the road as the apparent runaway45 bore down upon them. Another, further in advance, loping along at remarkable46 speed—Joe Rodgers, in a desperate sprint47 to capture the promised quarter—was seen to stumble.
Dave had a vision of a lantern performing some remarkable evolutions, and knew, more[235] by impressions than actual sight, that Joe Rodgers had taken a header to safety in the mud.
And all this time the red lantern on the back of Spudger’s vehicle was growing larger and stronger. A mass of formless dark, with surprising suddenness, resolved itself into the shape of a buggy and trotting48 horse.
As Dave sped past he heard loud exclamations49 and yells in Peter Whiffin’s familiar voice. Then he was plunging50 on and on into the blackness, with nothing but an occasional gleam of electric flame to light the way.
At last, after a determined51 fight, he regained52 control of the maddened animal. His face was stinging from the effects of beating rain and wind and his eyes were aching. But the wild ride had filled him with a strange sense of exhilaration.
As a vivid streak53 of bluish lightning forked its way earthward, the rider gave a gasp54 of astonishment55 and alarm. The instantaneous glare had revealed with startling clearness the ponderous56 forms of three elephants but a few yards distant. Even before the jarring reverberations of thunder began to sound the dull[236] thud of heavy feet splashing steadily57 through mud and water reached Dave Brandon’s ears.
It was a moment for quick action and steady nerves.
By the time his fierce yells and strenuous58 exertions60 had swerved61 the horse to one side the light of the lantern was falling on a huge bulk which towered high above him. He saw the elephant’s great head swing around, its eyes gleaming with fear.
“Great Scott!” murmured Dave.
He steered63 clear of a second shadowy form and soon a third detached itself faintly from the surroundings.
The already badly frightened Colossus became a great deal more so as horse and rider shot alongside. A shrill64 trumpet12 call rang out. The huge elephant increased his pace, blocking every effort of the horseman to gallop40 past. And so, neck and neck, the animals raced along the lonely, water-soaked country road.
Every flash of lightning brought into view fences on either hand. Dave knew there was[237] no safety on either side or behind. Only his horse’s speed could carry him out of the dangerous situation in which he had placed himself. The touch of a great rough body brushing against his shoulder sent a thrill to his heart.
“This is just a little more than I bargained for,” he thought, grimly.
“Get up, Blacky, get up!” he cried out, desperately66. His hand descended67 hard on the animal’s flank. “Go it, old boy! Go it, for your life!”
Dave strained his eyes to pierce the darkness, fearful that the obscurity concealed68 some object into which they would be plunged with headlong force.
It was one of the most thrilling moments in Dave Brandon’s life. Never before had he taken so many chances; and never before had he been so determined to win.
The boy could hear the labored69 breathing of his horse and saw patches of foam70 flung to the wind. The rapid pace over the rough road was fast telling on the animal’s strength. Thus, through the night and storm, the wild flight continued, with neither gaining[238] any advantage until the black horse, by a supreme71 effort, nosed ahead of its monster rival.
“Good for you, Blacky!” shouted Dave, exultingly72.
His lantern whirled in front of Colossus’ head, then again, and again, while he yelled with all his remaining force.
Each time he was in danger of being hurled73 from his seat; each time the exertion59 made his heart thump74 harder. But the actions of the big elephant caused him to keep up the fight with every ounce of strength in his body.
The panic-stricken beast seemed to have no desire to face that curious flashing light which occasionally grazed his upraised trunk. The pride of Spudger’s, seeing no escape from the terrifying object in front, voiced his fear in another loud call, swung abruptly75 across the road and continued along on the other side.
Almost immediately, Colossus slowed up, while the stout boy, feeling that the victory had been won, reined77 in his steaming horse, so as to keep directly in front of the elephant.
[239]Within a few minutes the struggle was over. The pachyderm, unable to elude78 the horseman, wavered, then came to a sudden stop.
Dave Brandon was too winded to shout his exultation79. He wheeled his horse around and halted in the middle of the road. Water poured from his hat and coat in streams; his clothes were patched with mud, but, as he wearily straightened up, the glow of the lantern showed the familiar broad smile on his face.
“By Jingo,” he muttered, “traveling with a circus surely has its thrills!”
Some five minutes later, when Messrs. Spudger and Whiffin hurriedly drove up, in a state of great excitement, they found three elephants huddled80 close together by the wayside, while a lone65 horseman, almost as motionless as a statue, was standing on guard.
And it didn’t take Mr. Whiffin’s sharp eyes very long to discover the identity of this vigilant81 sentinel.
“Didn’t I tell yer it was the fat feller who passed us, Mr. Spudger?” he demanded, “an’ by gum, he done the trick!”
“And I should say, at twenty-five cents, it[240] was about the cheapest bit of work I ever heard of. And if he’s saved me from looking into any lawyer’s face I’ll add another twenty-five cents myself.”
Mr. Spudger laughed gruffly at his own humorous observation.
“We’d best be keerful not to make too much noise,” warned Mr. Whiffin. “I ain’t hankerin’ to look after them elephants.”
“That’s right,” assented82 Mr. Spudger. “Let’s do all our conversation in whispers. If they ever git started on the back track this buggy would be only fit for kindlin’ fires, and I don’t like surgeons no more’n lawyers.”
After this remark only the noise of the storm was heard until Joe Rodgers, a sadly bedraggled object, arrived on the scene of inaction.
“Stand as still as if you was a-loafin’ on the show, Joe,” commanded Whiffin, disagreeably. “If it hadn’t been for that there quarter you wanted to git you’d be asleep on the wagon now.”
Scott, the elephant trainer, with his assistant, Robins, next appeared, and the men quickly secured their charges.
[241]A few specks83 of light on the road and the low rumble84 of wagon wheels soon indicated that the circus train was approaching.
“You’re the greatest feller in the world, Dave!” exclaimed Joe, admiringly. “I’ll bet Bill Potts never would have done it.”
“His forte85 is artistic86 riding,” laughed Dave. “Out on the plains with the cowboys taught me the plain variety.”
The leaders of the four-horse team swung up and the driver, who had taken Joe’s place, clambered to the ground.
“Oh, hasn’t this been another glorious day!” piped a small figure on the seat. “Are you safe, Brownie? Goodness, but this has given me an awful fit of the nerves.”
“I’m all right, Vic,” answered Dave. He led the black horse to its former place behind the wagon. “What’s that? Did you speak, Mr. Whiffin?”
A voice had come from the buggy.
“Step this way,” said the manager.
When his summons were obeyed he leaned out from beneath the shelter, extending a lean hand toward Dave’s indistinct form.
“Here’s that quarter, boy!”
“Thank you!” laughed Dave.
Joe, already in his place, his hands grasping the lines, waited until Dave Brandon was seated beside him, then his long whip cracked sharply, the horses plunged and struggled, the wheels reluctantly began to move, and the interrupted journey was resumed.
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2
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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robins
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| n.知更鸟，鸫( robin的名词复数 )；（签名者不分先后，以避免受责的）圆形签名抗议书（或请愿书） | |
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cumbersome
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| adj.笨重的，不便携带的 | |
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tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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11
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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13
trumpeting
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| 大声说出或宣告（trumpet的现在分词形式） | |
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14
mash
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| n.麦芽浆，糊状物，土豆泥；v.把…捣成糊状，挑逗，调情 | |
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15
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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16
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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19
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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20
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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22
tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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30
ooze
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| n.软泥，渗出物；vi.渗出，泄漏；vt.慢慢渗出，流露 | |
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31
untying
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| untie的现在分词 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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35
mashed
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| a.捣烂的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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37
prancing
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
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38
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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39
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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40
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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41
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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42
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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44
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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45
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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46
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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47
sprint
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| n.短距离赛跑；vi. 奋力而跑，冲刺；vt.全速跑过 | |
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48
trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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49
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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50
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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51
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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52
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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53
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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54
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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55
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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56
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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57
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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58
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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59
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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60
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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61
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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64
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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65
lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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66
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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67
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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68
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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69
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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70
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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71
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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72
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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73
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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74
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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75
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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76
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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77
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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78
elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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79
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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80
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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81
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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82
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
specks
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| n.眼镜；斑点，微粒，污点( speck的名词复数 ) | |
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84
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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85
forte
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| n.长处，擅长；adj.(音乐)强音的 | |
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86
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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87
guffawed
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| v.大笑，狂笑( guffaw的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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