“Perhaps I’d better go and ask him?”
Ella Bradley gave him a little push back on to the settee.
“The Boss would not thank you to disturb his nap just now.”
“Actually, he thought Adam might get fixed up in the Baxter Boys’ wagon,” Jake said.
“The Baxter Boys!” Ella pulled a face in contempt. “Oh, I know there’s only two of them in that living-wagon but I never saw such a place. If it had been stirred with a soup spoon it couldn’t look worse. Heaven knows when they last cleaned it out! And every night they’re down at a pub. Adam’s not the kind to muck in with that lot.”
“You’ve got a point there,” Jake admitted with a grin. He and Ella exchanged a long look and nodded to each other.
“D’you know what I’m thinking, Jake Bradley?” she asked in a challenging tone.
“Most likely what I’m thinking, Mrs Bradley,” Jake chuckled. “Though, knowing you, you’d talk me round even if I didn’t agree. Go ahead!”
Adam looked from one to the other bewildered by this exchange.
“Adam, could you fancy living with us?” Ella asked.
“Oh, yes!” Adam said eagerly and then stopped short. “But where – er – how?” He looked round the living-wagon. There were only two bunks.
“No, no, we’re not expecting you to sleep on the floor, lad!” Mrs Bradley laughed. “We’ve got a little tent we can set up alongside the wagon.”
“There are one or two camp beds in the circus stores. I could draw one out for you,” Jake suggested. “How would that suit you, Adam?”
“Just fine!” Adam said, his heart full of gratitude.
“You could have your meals here in the wagon with us. Mind you, you won’t get roast beef and Yorkshire pudding every day of the week,” Ella warned him. “I’ve got my jobs to do in the circus too.”
“Aye, lad, it’ll be ‘Nip, scratch and bite’ most days except Sundays,” Jake teased.
“Er–er – please, how much would I need to pay for my food and lodging?” Adam asked politely. He had no idea what Ella might ask of him and he must set aside something out of his weekly wage to buy Haki back again.
“Oh, two or three pounds, maybe. I’ll tell you what I’ll do, Adam. I’ll see how much all our food costs for a week and divide it by three. Don’t worry! I shan’t bankrupt you, luv. How’s that?”
“It suits me fine,” Adam said happily.
On this light note of mutual trust the bargain was completed.
8. Circus Debut
When they had finished tea Jake said, “I’ll just be stepping along to the tent and see what’s doing there. Coming, Adam?”
“I’ll see you later when I come along to do my trick,” Ella told them.
“We’ll pick up Haki on the way,” Jake said as they crossed the turf. “Mr Wiggins said you were to bring your bagpipes too.”
“But Haki won’t be expected to—” Adam faltered.
“To do his stuff? Not yet. The first part of his training, though, is to get used to the sight and smell of other animals. It’s a good chance for you to stand with him in one of the aisles to the seats and let him watch. You’d be surprised what one animal can learn from another.”
Haki welcomed Adam back again with a little nickering sound and nuzzled his arm. He did not seem upset at being left on his own, though there was an indentation in the turf where he had been pawing with one foot. Adam led him along to the Big Top.
“Just take him to that wide aisle over there. That’s where the public generally come in. Of course, there won’t be any today, being Sunday. It’s just a rehearsal for the elephant and horses. The animals enter from the opposite side, so you’ll be out of the way there,” Jake instructed him.
Jake stook by him for a minute or two watching the elephant being put through her drill, moving this way and that at a sign from her trainer.
“That’s Sonda. She’s a very intelligent beast and as gentle as a lamb. Watch her! Bill Crockett is a wonderful trainer.”
At a motion of Bill’s stick Sonda rose on her hind legs and waltzed obediently, putting her big feet down with delicate precision. When Bill said “Up!” she lifted him onto her back. At the word “Down!” she set him gently on the ground again, then stepped right over him, not even disturbing a hair of his head.
Adam thought Haki might have been frightened at the sight of the great beast but he merely seemed curious. Indeed he took a step forward. Sonda had finished her act and was just about to be led away by Bill when she saw Haki. She stood stock-still for a moment, then lifted up her trunk and trumpeted. Haki was not afraid. In his turn he gave a gently whinny.
“Michty me!” Adam exclaimed. “That’s Haki’s friendly call. You’d think he was answering Sonda.”
“Aye, you would,” Jake agreed. “Strange that! Or is it? Sonda was right fond of a Shetland pony, Rosie, years ago. She used to do a turn in the ring with her. She was real unhappy when she died. Bill had quite a job to get her to eat. Elephants have very deep feelings, you know.”
“What did the pony die of?” Adam felt a cold fear at his heart lest anything might befall Haki. “Was it an accident?”
“Bless you, no! It was old age. Rosie was getting on even when Sonda joined the circus. But they were friends right from the start.”
“It seems funny that they would make friends,” Adam commented.
“Oh, they have their likes and dislikes, just as human beings do. Heaven help any circus man, though, if an elephant takes a dislike to him! Here come the Shetland ponies we brought over with Haki last night.”
“Surely they’re not going to perform tomorrow?” Adam asked.
“Oh, no! Not yet. Not till they’ve got used to pulling a load of chimpanzees round the ring. Willie Baxter is just trying them harnessed to the cart and making a round or two of the ring.”
Willie Baxter led the ponies and cart round the ring. He had a whip. Though he did not use it on the animals he cracked it rather alarmingly. Haki started and backed a pace or two.
“Go easy! No need to handle the whip quite so much,” Jake Bradley said.
For a turn or two Willie Baxter forebore to crack his whip, but he scowled at Jake and included Adam. Jake noticed the look.
“You can take the ponies out now.”
Willie gave a final crack of his whip which sent the long lash curling wickedly almost to Adam’s feet. Adam stood his ground and held on tightly to Haki.
“That’s enough, Willie!” Jake said sharply.
Willie drove his animals out of the ring.
“I’ll have a word with that young man later,” Jake said with annoyance.
“Why did he flick his whip at me?” Adam asked. “I’ve never even spoken to him.”
“He’s vexed that he’s not got the handling of your pony too. He thinks he should have control of all the Shetlands.”
“But Mr Wiggins took me on specially to look after Haki and to do our turn together,” Adam said, bewildered.
“Oh, aye, lad. Never worry! It’s only a bit of spite and showing off. He’ll get over it. Just you stand your ground with Willie, that’s all. Here come the liberty horses now.”
Music was played from a tape recorder.
Adam drew in his breath with admiration. The horses came cantering in, each one in step with the others. They were beautiful Arab horses, four chestnuts and four greys, a chestnut alternating with a grey as they flowed round the ring. They tossed their heads proudly as if they knew they were beauties.
Jake advanced into the ring. He held a short whip called a guider. He gave it a little crack and the horses immediately turned and cantered in the opposite direction. They made one or two circuits, turning as Jake gave the signal. Never once did they falter or get out of step. Jake whistled, and twiddled his guider as if stirring porridge. The animals began circling in twos, head to tail, as though waltzing, a chestnut horse with a grey. Adam watched them, fascinated. Even Haki peered with bright eyes under h
is mane. Another crack of the whip and they cantered round the ring again.
Jake cracked his whip twice and the horses separated, the chestnuts going round one way and the greys in the opposite direction. As if going through a country dance the animals threaded in and out of each other’s lines. The second time round they fell into their original positions.
Ella appeared in the ring in black practising tights. She leaped and landed like a piece of thistledown on the leading horse. She stood swaying gently to the movement, then did a gay pirouette which ended in a perfect somersault off the horse’s back. The horse never changed his pace but moved steadily round. Before the third horse passed her, Ella leaped again. This time she did a handstand, turned it into a back somersault over the head of the fourth horse and landed in a standing position on his back. She rode triumphantly round the ring with one arm upraised as if to acknowledge the applause of a crowd.
Adam watched her, fascinated.
“Okay, Ella?” Jake called.
“Okay. The ring’s all right. You might tell Bert to put some more rosin on Sultan’s back tomorrow, though. My feet didn’t grip too well.”
She leaped down into the ring again. The horses made a concerted bow and cantered out.
Jake crossed over to Adam and Haki. “Bring Haki in now, Adam, and lead him round the ring once or twice.”
Adam tugged gently at the bridle. Very cautiously Haki advanced. Adam led him round the sawdust ring. They made several circuits. Adam spied Mr Wiggins watching them from a front seat.
“Good!” Jake said. “Now, if you let go of the bridle, will Haki follow you?”
“Oh, yes,” Adam said confidently. “He’s been doing that since he was weaned.” He said, “Come, Haki!” and Haki at once took his place with his nose almost touching Adam’s shoulder. Round the ring they marched, first in one direction then another.
“Now, Adam, take this short whip. Whenever you change direction, crack it once. Haki will soon recognize it as the signal to turn.”
Adam took hold of the bridle and cracked the whip as he turned Haki smartly round. At first Haki eyed the whip, showing the whites of his eyes. When nothing unpleasant happened he began to think of the whip simply as the signal to turn. Adam kept repeating the exercise.
“Now let go the bridle again, Adam. See if Haki will turn of himself when he hears the whip crack.”
Adam walked alongside Haki, keeping the colt well to the circumference of the ring. Before long Haki knew that his place was close to the wall of the ring and he stayed there without any urging. Adam went round a couple of times, then cracked his whip. Of his own accord Haki wheeled round.
“Well done, Haki!” Adam praised him.
“Try it again, Adam, just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke,” Jake directed.
Haki went half way round. Adam cracked his whip and Haki turned smartly.
“Good lad, Haki! He’s learned it all right,” Jake shouted.
Haki knew he had done well. He nuzzled at Adam’s pocket, looking for his reward of a lump of sugar. Adam turned out the lining. Luckily still one solitary cube lay there. Haki took it as his due.
“Well, Mr Wiggins?” Jake asked.
“The pony’s intelligent, right enough,” Mr Wiggins looked pleased.
“Do you want him to do any more?”
“No, he’s done enough for the first time. You’ve both shaped pretty well, Adam. All I want to see now is Adam playing his pipes and the pony marching off after him.”
Adam picked up his bagpipes, set the drones throbbing, then broke into ‘Scotland the Brave’. Haki followed him round the ring.
Mr Wiggins winked at Jake. “I think I’ve backed a winner there.”
None of them saw Willie Baxter watching with an angry scowl.
“You wait, Scotchie!” he muttered, but the triumphant strains of ‘Scotland the Brave’ drowned his voice.
Adam rubbed down Haki with his old towel as soon as he reached the stable. Jake came in while Adam was busy on him.
“That’s a sensible lad. Always rub him down when he comes out of the ring. That’s when animals catch cold, when they leave the heat of the ring for the cold night air. You both did well, Adam. I’ve been talking to the Boss and he thinks Haki might start by doing a short turn in the Grand Parade of the animals at the end of the show. He’ll just walk in the animals’ procession with you playing the pipes in front of him. That’ll please the Scottish audiences, the Boss says.”
“We’ll do another turn beside that, though, won’t we?” Adam asked, slightly disappointed.
“Oh, yes, of course you will! But new tricks take a lot of rehearsing before you can present them to an audience. We’ll start tomorrow by teaching him to rise on his hind legs when you raise your whip. I don’t think he’ll take long to learn that. Feed and water him now and see he’s well tied up with enough length of rope so he can move round comfortably in his staff. By then I’ll have the sleeping tent up for you alongside our wagon.”
Adam saw to it that Haki was quite comfortable, and left water beside him in a bucket. This time, when Adam said, “Bye, bye, Haki, I’ll be back,” Haki seemed quite reconciled to his going away. He turned, licked Adam’s face, and settled down among the straw.
When Adam reached the Bradleys’ living-wagon he found Ella had cocoa on the stove and had made a thick pile of ham sandwiches.
“You and Haki did very well, lad,” she told him. “I could see the Boss was right pleased.”
“Someone else was pleased to see Haki too,” Jake told her. “Sonda! She trumpeted her call to him the way she used to call Rosie, and what was more, Haki replied.”
“Never!”
“Aye, it’s the truth!”
“Well, well!”
When supper was over Ella told Adam, “I’ve made your bed up. There’s a sleeping bag and plenty of blankets. I’ll give you a call in the morning at six o’clock. Your breakfast will be ready at six-thirty.”
“Thanks for everything,” Adam said, full of gratitude to his new friends. “Goodnight, then.”
“Here’s an electric torch. It’ll help you to see your way round the tent,” Jake said.
Once Adam had shut the wagon door, Ella asked Jake, “Did Bill notice the way Sonda behaved?”
“Aye, he did. I had a word with him later.”
“And what did he think about it?”
“He says it’s got possibilities. He’s going to let Sonda watch Haki a bit at rehearsals.”
“Good! That’ll put Willie Baxter’s eye out. Watch him! I don’t trust that one.”
Adam thought it would be a long time before he fell asleep in this strange new world. He listened for a few minutes to the night sounds of the circus; the sudden barking of dogs that stopped at a shout from someone; the faint chattering of a monkey; the distant roar of a lion; the voices of people returning to their living-wagons. One by one the lights went out and the circus settled down to sleep. Circus folk have to rise early and hard work makes them quick to sleep. Adam closed his eyes. When he opened them again it was morning and Ella was shaking his shoulder.
The following week was one of steady rehearsal with Haki. Ella’s prediction that Haki was a born trouper seemed to be fulfilled. He accepted the nearby company of other ponies and the liberty horses. In fact, he liked to watch the liberty horses at work. When they were led out he champed at his bridle and pawed the ground in impatience till Adam led him out too. He stood stock-still in the big aisle and watched all they did. He liked to watch Sonda, too, as Bill put her through her tricks. She sat down: rolled over, lay still: walked delicately among rows of upright bottles, never touching one of them, and lifted Bill on her back at the end. She began to watch for Haki at the beginning of her act and she saluted him with her trumpeting call. Haki looked at her and whinnied gently.
Then, one day Bill said something to Jake, and Jake came over to Adam and Haki.
“Bill wants to introduce Sonda to Haki. He’s going to bring h
er over to get a nearer look at him. Do you think Haki will stand his ground all right? Sonda’s a gentle, well behaved beast and Bill says she’s curious about Haki.”
“I’ll hold Haki and put an arm around his neck. That always gives him confidence.”
“Right!” Jake beckoned to Bill.
Bill held on to Sonda and they advanced slowly to within a few feet of Haki. Adam held on tightly. The pony looked at Sonda in surprise.
“Steady, Haki!” Adam said quietly.
“Stand still, Sonda,” Bill commanded. Sonda obediently halted.
“Can you bring Haki a couple of paces nearer Sonda?” Bill asked. “Stop at once if he seems inclined to back away.”
With Adam holding his bridle, Haki stepped nearer. The elephant and the Shetland pony looked at each other with interest. Haki seemed unafraid. Sonda swayed her trunk very slightly from side to side as though making up her mind about something. Then she lifted it and brushed Haki’s head lightly with the tip of it. It was over almost before Adam realized what had happened.
“My goodness! She’s kissed him!” Jake exclaimed.
“That’s the old trick she used to do with Rosie,” Bill said. “I wonder if she’ll do it again? Shall I try the old word of command?”
“Are you willing, Adam?” Jake asked. “I don’t think you’ve anything to fear.”
It was Haki who answered the question. He took another step forward and lifted up his head to Sonda.
Bill said, “Go on Sonda! Give Haki a kiss!”
Sonda put out her trunk to touch Haki gently again and Haki’s tongue flashed out and he licked her!
“You could knock me down with a feather!” Jake exclaimed. “They’re friends already. Sonda’s taken to him. That’s just grand!”
Bill laughed. “We’ll let them have a word with each other every day. Lead Haki away now, Adam.”
As Haki was led away he gave his little whinnying cry. Sonda responded with a triumphant trumpeting call.
“Whatever made Sonda treat Haki like that?” Adam asked Jake.
Haki the Shetland Pony Page 8