Free The Story of Freginald by Walter R. Brooks Page A

“Didn’t you know that? Why, my goodness, Hannibal, what does he think we came here for?”
    â€œYes, yes,” said the bull impatiently. “Of course I know what you’re here for. My question didn’t require an answer.”
    â€œThen why did you ask it?” said Mr. Boomschmidt. “Dear me, haven’t we enough to do without asking each other foolish questions?”
    The bull snorted angrily and Hannibal said: “I’ll fight him, sir.”
    But Mr. Boomschmidt didn’t like that idea. “No, Hannibal,” he said, “it wouldn’t be fair. You’re so much bigger than he is.”
    â€œWell, it wasn’t fair of him to lock up Leo and Freginald, either.”
    â€œThat’s true,” said Mr. Boomschmidt. “My word, how true that isl Still—Now, Hannibal, what would you think if we had Jerry fight him? That is, of course, if Jerry is willing.”
    â€œFine,” said Hannibal. “If Jerry gets a direct hit on the old robber he’ll knock him into the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.”
    â€œI don’t know just where that is,” said Mr. Boomschmidt, “and I bet you don’t either, Hannibal. I think we ought to find out. Louise, you’re good at geography. Can you tell us where the Gulf of Mexico is?”
    But before Louise could answer, Hannibal said: “I think it’s more important to find out where Jerry is. And you’ll let me aim him, won’t you, sir?”
    At that moment there was a crash —crash, crash—CRASH! And Jerry came chugging through the house in a cloud of plaster dust. On the sagging roof the east chimney wobbled a moment then collapsed in a rumble of cascading bricks.
    â€œDo you want to fight the bull, Jerry?” Mr. Boomschmidt asked.
    â€œSure,” said Jerry, dropping his nose and shutting his eyes, which he had only just again opened. “Where is he? Am I headed right?”
    â€œWait a minute,” yelled the animals, and Mr. Boomschmidt said: “We have to arrange the terms. There’s just one other thing, bull. If you are beaten you’ll have to give up this nonsense about being Confederates. You’re just a lot of gangsters, using the Confederacy as an excuse to steal from your neighbors. Besides, the North and South are now one country, and you are defying the law of the United States. And as a law-abiding and patriotic citizen—”
    â€œAll right, all right,” interrupted the bull with a harsh laugh. “Don’t make a speech about it. We’ll agree to give up the Confederacy— if you win. Now let’s stop talking and get to fighting.”
    â€œHe seems awfully sure of winning,” said Freginald to Leo, as they leaned out of the window and anxiously watched the preparations for the duel.
    â€œNot a chance,” said the lion. “Boy, Jerry’ll knock that bull so flat he’ll look as if he was painted on the ground.”

CHAPTER 9
    The bull went to the far end of the barnyard. Hannibal got behind Jerry and, shutting one eye, aimed him carefully. Then Mr. Boomschmidt shouted: “Go!” and both animals lowered their heads and charged.
    The watchers held their breath, waiting for the smack when the two met head on. But just a fraction of a second before they collided, the bull leaped sideways, then checked his speed and trotted slowly to the near end of the barnyard, while Jerry tore on and disappeared into the woods.
    â€œCoward!” yelled the circus animals. “Stand up and fight!”
    But the bull merely shrugged his heavy shoulders and sat down to wait for his antagonist to return. After three or four minutes, when Jerry reappeared at the edge of the woods, he got up and walked forward, and as soon as Jerry saw him, he charged. But this time, without anyone to aim him, he came nowhere near the bull, who indeed didn’t even bother to gallop toward him, but merely stood and