Through the town they went and everywhere children ran after them, and
wondered at the strange puppets. And after a while they came to a
little theatre and were thrown down among a lot of other puppets.
"I don't intend to stay here," said Kernel Cob. "I'm going to run
away. I've got to find Jackie and Peggs' motheranfather."
"I don't think you'll be able to get away," said the Villain.
"Well, at least I'll try," answered Kernel Cob. "Wouldn't you like to
come with us?"
"You bet," said the Villain, for he had taken a great fancy to Kernel
Cob and especially to Sweetclover, whose gentle manners appealed very
strongly to him. "But how are you going to do it?"
"Let me think," said Kernel Cob and they were very quiet for a long
while.
"I tell you what," said the Villain, "When I am going to play I'll run
off the stage and as soon as you see the Showman run after me, you
must be ready to run and before he catches me, you'll be safe away."
"But you won't be able to come with us, then," said Sweetclover, "and
you'll be beaten."
"Well, as long as you and Kernel Cob get away, it won't matter what
happens to me," said the Villain.
"That's very noble of you, I'm sure," said Kernel Cob, "and I see that
you are a very friendly Villain, but I think I can find a better plan
than that."
While they were talking, the Showman came and tied some strings on
Kernel Cob and Sweetclover.
"What's that for?" asked Kernel Cob.
"I guess you are going to play in the show," explained the Villain.
"That's the way he works us."
"Now we will never be able to get away," sighed Sweetclover.
"Won't we though," said Kernel Cob, "leave it to me," for he was very
brave of heart and nothing daunted him, because he was a soldier, you
see, and was brave by nature.
And the Showman took them into the theatre, and the performance began.
When the play was over, quick as a flash, Kernel Cob cut the strings
from Sweetclover and himself.
"Now is our time!" shouted he to Sweetclover and the Villain, who were
standing close by, and the Villain, catching Sweetclover by the hand,
ran away with her.
Holding the Showman at a distance, Kernel Cob backed his way off the
stage, joined the Villain and Sweetclover and all three ran out into
the street at the top of their speed, but the Showman was much faster
and was close on their heels when they came to a corner.
"Straight ahead!" shouted Kernel Cob while he turned and ran up the
other street. This puzzled the Showman just what Kernel Cob wanted,
and while he stood, wondering which one of them to follow, they gained
on him.
Feeling angrier with Kernel Cob than with the Villain and Sweetclover,
he made after him, but Kernel Cob had a good start this time and had
turned another corner, and seeing an open doorway, leaped in and was
well-hidden by the time the Showman came puffing by.
For a long time the Showman searched, but never thought of the door
behind which Kernel Cob was hiding and finally gave up the search and
went back.
After Kernel Cob had given him plenty of time to get away, he came out
cautiously and with great courage went back the way he had come,
anxious to find Sweetclover and the Villain.
When he came to the corner where Sweetclover and the Villain had gone
straight ahead, he followed on after them, but could find no trace of
them. Night was coming on and still he walked and being very tired
with all his running, he sat down on the roadside, for he was now out
in the country. And the moon came out and he watched it and thought of
the many adventures he had been in since Sweetclover and he were up
there and a great longing came into his heart to see her and if he had
not been a soldier, I am sure he would have cried, but he didn't.
Instead, he got upon his feet and looked about for some place where he
could spend the night.
This he soon found, for close at hand was a field in which some hay
had been stacked, and, careful not to arouse the dog, he crept under
one of the haystacks and soon was fast asleep.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]