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Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/150

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a wild character that he turned his head and looked back. The sight that met his eyes struck terror to his own soul, although he was acquainted with all the ways of the circus.

One of the strong doors on the lion cage had swung partly open, and Leo, the largest of all the lions, was in the act of springing to the pavement. Even as Freckles gazed thunderstruck at the sight, the mighty cat leaped lightly to the street. Women shrieked, and some of them even fainted. Men caught up small children in their arms and fled with them through the doors of the nearest store. There was such a scramble as the main street of that quiet city had never seen before.

Meanwhile the innocent cause of the panic looked fearfully about. He seemed as much disturbed and afraid as the spectators. Then, seeing a clear space for a few rods along the pavement ahead, he trotted directly alongside of the phaeton drawn by Sir Wilton. This was enough