He slipped over on his side, mechanically
stretched out his legs and forgot his doubts and troubles.
He was aroused by the jostling and bouncing of the huge, empty wagon.
With a start of alarm he leaped to his feet, striking his head against
the roof of his abiding place, and hurried to the end of the wagon to
peer out through the slit. Bands were playing, whips were cracking and
children were shrieking joyously. It was a long time before he grasped
the situation. The "Grand free street parade" was in progress; he was
riding, like a caged beast, through the principal streets of the town!
From the security of his position he could look out upon the throng
that lined the sidewalks, without danger of being seen in return.
After the first great wave of mortification and shame, he was able to
consider his situation to be quite as amusing as it was fortunate. He
found himself laughing at the country people and their scarcely more
sophisticated city brethren with something of the worldly scorn that
dominated the "profession." Even the horses that drew the "Gorgeous
chariots of gold" eyed the gaping crowds with profound pity.
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