Up went the curtain again, and once more the big crowd clapped as they saw how pretty and natural it was.  There was part of a barn with a real door that opened, and when it swung wide and out trotted the Shetland pony on to the stage, drawing a little cart in which sat Bunny and Sue, why, then you should have heard the applause!

And then something happened.  Just how it came about no one knew, but, all of a sudden, there was a loud crow, and out from his basket, which had been hidden back of the wings, flew Peter, the rooster.

At first no one paid much attention to this, as they all knew it was part of the play.  But when Peter suddenly flew out from back of the stage and alighted right on the pony’s back, Toby was much frightened.

Up he rose on his hind legs, and then he made a dash for the edge of the stage.  Straight for the footlights he started, dragging Bunny and Sue in the cart after him!

Men jumped to their feet and women screamed.  It looked as if Bunny and Sue would be hurt.

CHAPTER XXIV

ACT III

Lucky it was for every one that Mr. Treadwell was an old actor and stage manager and that he was used to slight accidents happening during a show.  Just at the time Bunny and Sue, in the pony cart, were seemingly about to be run over the footlights.  Mr. Treadwell was at one side of the stage, waiting for his turn to go on, dressed as an old soldier.  When he saw what was happening to the little boy and girl he did not stop.

Rushing out he fairly slid across the smooth boards, in front of the make-believe barn, and he grabbed the pony’s bridle in one hand.  In the other he held the sword that he was supposed to use as a soldier.

“Halt!” cried the impersonator.  “Stop right where you are, and surrender to General Grant!”

Mr. Treadwell really was dressed up like General Grant, but Bunny and Sue were surprised to hear him use these words, which were not in the play at all, “General Grant” had quite a different part to perform, and at first Bunny and Sue could not understand it.  All they knew was that Mr. Treadwell had caught the pony’s bridle in time to stop the frightened animal from walking over the edge of the stage, when Peter the rooster crowed so loudly from his back.  Perhaps the sharp claws of the rooster may have tickled the pony.  I should think they would.  Anyhow the pony was stopped just in time.

“Don’t be frightened, Bunny and Sue!” whispered Mr. Treadwell, as he motioned for the orchestra to play a little louder, so no one in the audience could hear what he said.  Then he went on:  “Just pretend it is all part of the show!  Make believe I was to rush out this way, and call on you to surrender.  I’ll take Peter off the pony’s back.  The rooster makes him afraid.  Now, Bunny, you say:  All right General Grant!  I’ll surrender if it takes all summer!”