impress.
âAnd impress we shall.â
The door at the back of the circus pit opened and the audience fell still. In the silence could be heard the creaking of metal on metal and the shouts of men.
A black iron cage whined its way through the door on rusty axles. The wheels were chipped and uneven, and the entire cage rattled with each turn.
Inside the mobile carrier were the three apes: Trébone, Blue Boy, and Screecher. Trébone sat there silently while the others climbed the bars and pounded the ceiling.
âWhat is your father doing with those guys?â Kenji asked. I could only shrug. No other animals had been brought out in cages.
âThe chimpanzee and the orangutan,â Father began. âMarvelous creatures both. Stronger than most men and no less than half as clever, they are the knights of the jungle. They live in clans that number as high as a hundred and will fight wars over territory. They are powerful, savage creatures.â
Manray was pushing the cage around the pit when Blue Boy leaped at him, reaching his thick hand between the bars. Manray dodged just in time to avoid having his vest ripped off by the chimp, and he tumbled to the ground. The audience gasped and applauded.
âYes, these are indeed the knights of the jungle,â Father said. âBut this, ladies and gentlemen, is the king.â
More grinding metal came from the doorway. The crowdâs cheering quieted as they waited to see what would emerge. Even I leaned forward.
From the darkness came the Jaguar, bracing himself inside the bouncing cage, silent.
The guests around me rose to their feet. I could no longer see the pit for all the people in front of me.
âOf course, we all know the zooâs newest resident,â Father continued. âThe natives believe jaguars descend from a god. Take one look and youâll see what inspires the notion.â He turned and admired the Jaguar. âItâs a terrible beast. This one killed an employee of mine; thatâs why we captured him. Once they develop a taste for human flesh . . .â He smiled.
A collective gasp came from the crowd.
âNot to worry!â he said cautiously. âThis wall is too tall for him to jump. Once we let them loose, they wonât be able to leave the pit.â A murmur rose throughout the crowd. âOh yes,â Father said, his eyes growing dark. âThis is the finale of our show.â
âBattle of the Beasts!â cried Tim, running through the back door and into the center of the pit. Father turned quickly to say something to him, but I hardly noticed. My heart was going crazy inside my chest. The skin on the palm of my right hand burned.
âA jaguarâs bite is the strongest in the world.â Father kept his calm, though the crowd was wild around him. âIt can crack an alligatorâs skull. How will it fare against three vicious apes?â
âBattle to the death!â Tim shouted again. I didnât know what to do. Men were pulling sacks of silver and gold from their belts, making bets on who would win. I didnât understand; these animals were in our protection. This went against every rule my father had ever given me.
The Jaguar looked calmly into the crowd. Was he searching for me?
The apes were raging against the bars. They knew what was happening. And they knew they wouldnât stand a chance against a full-grown jaguar.
âMarlin!â Trébone hooted desperately. âMarlin!â
I had given them my word they wouldnât be hurt, but my word was worthless, just like Blue Boy had said. I couldnât control my father or anything at all. I couldnât even save the little capybara.
I steeled myself and squeezed between the two men in front of me. I would jump down into the pit. They couldnât release the animals if I was in the circle. Father would be furious, but I didnât care.
An elbow checked me across the forehead and my
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