"Watch out, we're going down," warned the trainer.

"Right!"

The elephant trainer's command came out like the crack of a
ringmaster's whip.

Slowly the great beasts lowered themselves toward the sawdust
ring.

"Stoop over and grab the harness!"

Phil did so.

"Sit! Let go, Emperor!"

The trunk was released instantly and Phil plumped to the beast's
head once more, amid the wildest applause.

The band swung into another tune, which was the signal for the
next act to be brought on. At the same time the ringmaster blew
a shrill blast on his whistle.

The trainer left the ring with his charges by an exit that he
seldom departed through. But he did so in order to leave Phil
near the place where his seats were, first having ascertained
where these were located.

"Put him down, Emperor! Down, I say!"