y were good
friends even. Gee whiz, I like hiking better than anything else, except
apple pie, but anyway, I'd like to be in a parade, that's one thing. That's
just what I said. I said it out loud to myself.

CHAPTER XVIII

ON TO GLORY

When they came back the keeper was leading Marshal Foch with a rope, and
the fly paper was gone from his head and his body. Harry Donnelle said they
melted the stickum with gasoline and that it didn't hurt the leopard much.
He said it came off easier than a porous plaster does. You bet I was glad;
because that leopard and I were kind of friends. Anyway I would have been
glad. The keeper had a pistol but I guess it was just safety first because
the animal walked along by him just as meek as could bet and walked right
up the slanting board into the wagon. I guess he knew that keeper all
right. His eyes were kind of half shut and all sticky like, and his nice
fur was all stuck up but the men said they could fix him all right as soon
as they had time.

I just couldn't help saying "So long, Marshal Foch, I'm sorry I had to do
it; see you later." He just walked back and forth in the cage, awful
graceful, as if he was looking to see if everything was all right, and
maybe he was glad to get back, hey?

Then Mr. Costello said in his big loud voice, just as if he was making a
speech, "I am going to give the people of Kingston, _absolutely free,_ an
opportunity to view for the first time in America, the dauntless young
hero of two continents." I don't know why he said two continents, because
I only live on one, and believe me, that's enough.

But most everything he said had _two continents_ in it. Harry said it was a
wonder he forgot Mars and the Moon. "The dauntless young hero scout, pride
of two continents," that's what he said. Oh boy, didn't I blush I And
didn't Harry Donnelle laugh!

"May I ask your name, sir?" Mr. Costello said. I told him, "Roy Blakeley."

"I would like you to ride with Marshal Foch in the parade," he said, "and
later at the performances. I think I will call you _Roy the Redoubtable;_
or perhaps _Blakeley the Bold_ would be better. This is an opportunity of
a lifetime to the people of Kingston. It will rejoice the scouts of two
continents to see their intrepid young hero riding in triumph with the
savage, man eating, beast that he subdued."

Harry said, "That would be delightful. What do you say, Roy?"

I said, _"Good night,_ I won't have to ride in the cage w