CHAPTER IX

GETTING HIS FIRST CALL

"Let him go. Emperor won't hurt me," laughed Phil as soon as he
could get his breath, for he was moving along at a pace which
would have meant a tumble to the ground had the elephant not
supported the lad with its trunk.

The audience soon seeing that no harm had come to the boy, set up
another roar, which was still loud in Phil's ears when Emperor
set his burden down after reaching the elephant quarters in the
menagerie tent.

"You're a bad boy. Get down, sir, and let me off," chided Phil.

The elephant, to his surprise, cautiously let himself down to his
knees, his trunk at the same time reaching out surreptitiously
for a wisp of fresh grass.

Phil slipped off, laughing heartily. He had lost all fear of the
great, hulking beast.

"Don't punish him, please," begged the boy when the keeper came
hurrying along with Jupiter. "But if you will make him let me
alone, I'll go in the other tent. I want to see the circus."

"Wait a moment. I'll chain him up."