Hairy Hezekiah Read Online Free Page B

“Pretty tiring day I’ve had,” he said. “Those people kept making me stand here and go there while they pointed things at me and at my friend in his funny clothes. I’ll be glad to get to bed.”
    But before he did, his friend came into the shed to wish him good night. Lord Basin was carrying some bananas and he was about to peel one when the camel took it gently out of his hand and swallowed it, skin and all. Five more bananas went the same way, and then Hezekiah sank to his horny kneepads. “Thanks, my friend,” he said, “and now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get some sleep. I’ve had a busy day.”

    In answer to all his rumbles, Lord Basin said, “Get some sleep, old fellow, you’ve had a busy day.”
    A pretty successful day too, said the Earl to himself as he went back into the great house of Shortseat. Hezekiah got on well with the other beasts, and I should think the film people are pleased with their footage.

    As he lay in bed that night, clad in purple silk pajamas, his red nightcap on his head, he suddenly thought that he should have tried to ride the camel. That would have looked good on film! he said to himself. But would Hezekiah let
me sit on him? he thought. I’m a lot bigger now than when I last had a ride on a camel. Ah well, there’s only one way to find out.
    Thus it was that next morning when the rangers came to the shed, they did not lead Hezekiah out along the road to his enclosure. Instead they took him into a stable yard, at one side of which was a stone mounting block. Standing on this while a horse was led up and stood beside it, it was easy for a rider to step off the block and straddle his steed.
    Today the steed was not going to be a horse but (hopefully) a camel. As Hezekiah was led up to the mounting block, he saw that, standing on it, was his friend, wearing riding breeches and those yellow stockings and various other bright pieces of clothing.
    â€œNow, Hezekiah, old chap,” his friend said, “I wonder if you will do me a favor?”

    He put out a hand to the camel, who gave it that rubbery kiss.
    â€œI shall be so much obliged,” said Lord Basin (for politeness costs nothing), “if you’ll let me sit on you.”
    â€œTell you what, my friend,” said Hezekiah in reply. “Why don’t you sit on me and I’ll give you a ride?”
    What with the kiss and the amiable noises that his camel was making, the Earl felt confident enough to throw a yellow-stockinged leg over the beast’s back.
    Hezekiah stood as still as a rock.
    Then Lord Basin hoisted himself up off the mounting block and sat himself on the broad hairy back, in between the two hairy humps.
    Hezekiah did not move.
    Lord Basin looked down at his rangers and grinned all over his hairy face.

    â€œHow about that, eh?” he said to them.
    â€œSplendid, my Lord,” they said. “Shall we lead him on?”
    â€œNo, don’t bother with the ropes. Just walk on either side of me and then you can open the gate when we arrive.” To Hezekiah he said, “Walk on!”

    Being by far the tallest, it was the giraffes who first saw the strange procession coming up the
road. They could not tell the others, of course, but they cantered over to the fence in such an excited way that the zebras came galloping and the ostriches strode after them.
    â€œWell, I never!” said a zebra.
    â€œDid you ever!” said an ostrich.
    â€œOpen the gate!” said the Earl to his rangers.
    â€œGood morning, everyone,” said Hezekiah. “I’m giving my friend a ride. He seems to be enjoying it,” and he ambled out into the pasture.

    The Earl of Basin sat swaying happily on the camel’s back.
    â€œOut of the way, you all!” he shouted to the zebras and ostriches and giraffes, and to Hezekiah, “Now trot!” He took off his cowboy hat and with it gently slapped the camel’s