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

watched him thunder by.
    The fight went on like this for some time. The rhinoceros charged back and forth and the bull avoided him easily. At the end of Jerry’s charges at the near end of the field the circus animals had several times to do some quick dodging to avoid being hit. They shouted and stormed at the bull, who wasn’t even out of breath, but he only grunted at them, and the robbers began to laugh.
    After the eighth charge Mr. Boomschmidt began to be worried. Jerry was getting tired. His panting could be heard for half a mile. Evidently the bull meant to wear him down until he could no longer run, and then he would step in and worry him with his long horns.
    â€œGood gracious,” said Mr. Boomschmidt, “this is terrible! Can’t you suggest anything, Hannibal? Can’t any of you suggest anything?”
    They all looked at one another hopelessly for a minute. Then Oscar, who had been fidgeting uneasily for some time, suddenly shouted: “Oh, you all stand around and talk! You make me tired. I’m going to do something. You watch.” And limping slightly because of his sprained toe, he ran out toward the bull.
    â€œCome back. Come back, Oscar,” they called. But he paid no attention. He circled about the bull, who kept pivoting to face him with his horns.
    â€œGet back on the side lines,” said the bull. “You’re breaking the rules.”
    â€œIndeed!” said Oscar. “And pray what are you going to do about it?” He danced on his long legs—left, right, then darted in and kicked the bull under the chin.
    Now, an ostrich has a kick that is as strong as a mule’s. The bull shook his head, bellowed, and rushed. But Oscar wasn’t there.
    The robbers were yelling angrily and some of them were beginning to form up for a charge. “We’ll have to get him out of there, Hannibal,” said Mr. Boomschmidt. Hannibal stepped forward, and as the ostrich came past he slung his long trunk about his neck and pulled him back.
    â€œCome along, stupid,” he said good-naturedly. “This is Jerry’s fight.”

    Oscar complained in his snippy voice. “Really, Hannibal! You’re exceeding your authority. Kindly release me at once.”
    It is no use trying to explain to an ostrich, though few people realize it. It isn’t because they are really stupid, but they are so vain they won’t listen. It didn’t occur to Oscar that he was breaking the rules of the fight. He was too busy being mad at Hannibal for trying—as he supposed—to deprive him of the glory of defeating the bull. Hannibal knew this, however, so he didn’t say anything, but just kept a firm hold of Oscar’s neck.
    In the meantime Jerry was preparing slowly to make another charge. “He’s weakening,” said Mr. Boomschmidt sadly. “Oh, I wish somebody could think of something!”
    And just then a little head popped out of the breast pocket where he carried his red checkered handkerchief and said: “May I suggest something?”
    â€œEustace!” exclaimed Mr. Boomschmidt. “My goodness, I told you not to come. You’re too small. You might get hurt. I thought you were at home in your house.”
    â€œOh, I had to come, chief,” said Eustace. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I sneaked in here early this morning. But listen. I’ve got an idea.”
    â€œAn idea! “ Mr. Boomschmidt cried. “My word, we need one. Listen to that, Hannibal. Eustace has an idea. Well, Eustace, it’s no good where it is. Suppose you give it to me.”
    So Eustace climbed up on Mr. Boomschmidt’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. And as Mr. Boomschmidt listened, the frown and the worried lines all disappeared from his face, which became as round and shining and delighted as it usually was, and he slapped his knee and said: “I do believe you’ve got it!” He shouted to