as they swept on toward the ring.

The voice belonged to Mr. Sparling, the owner of the show. He
was quick to grasp the value of Phil's predicament--that is, its
value to the show as a drawing card.

By now the people began to understand that something unusual was
going on, and they asked each other what it was all about.

"It's Phil Forrest riding the elephant," shouted one of the lad's
school friends, recognizing him all at once. "Hooray for Phil!"

There were many of the pupils from his school there, and the
howling and shouting that greeted him made the lad's cheeks burn.
But now, instead of wanting to crawl under something and hide,
Phil felt a thrill of pleasure, of pride in the achievement that
was denied to all the rest of his friends.

The inspiring music of the circus band, too, added to his
exhilaration. He felt like throwing up his hands and shouting.

Suddenly he felt something tugging at his coat pocket, and
glancing down gave a start as he discovered the inquisitive trunk
of Emperor thrust deep down in the pocket.

When the trunk came away it brought with it a lump of sugar that
Phil did not know he possessed. The sugar was promptly conveyed
to the elephant's mouth, the beast uttering a loud scream of
satisfaction.