The Circus Boys on the Mississippi; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River
le walk with me," called Mr. Sparling early next
he sleeping cars, for the performers to pack th
it, and gossip was rife among them as
ious heads of departments to prepare
ing?" demanded T
go along, unless you wis
k I want to stay on the lot when any
ained. I am sure of that," replied Mr. Spar
oyer. They passed on through the business street of the town, then turned off shar
s the river,"
at is th
ould take a
l have on
oo
at Mr. Sparli
unny boat!" cried T
ow dog, but I can't
And it has a paddl
the limit! Why, ther
they, Mr.
t shed a flood of light on the mystery-the surprise that Mr. Sparling h
and he knew h
on the side of that boat nearest to
" spell
finishe
C-o-m-b-i-n-e-d Shows. Well,
to think, yet," an
bined Shows. Do y
arling, with a merry twinkle in his eyes
nished to say much. Do you mean w
act
the
es
ora
at?" deman
t you
What's it all about? What is it ab
ing down the Mississippi,"
ose th
hose
ng on any boat that has to have a wheel on behin
ey are fine boa
got them far up the river last winter. When I first conceived the plan of sending my sh
ter," corrected
more anxious to try it. The next question was a boat. I heard of some of the old broad-beamed river craft that were out of commission up stream. I found them exactly suited to
hil. "It fairly tak
ve in?" asked Teddy
from the trains and brought here, now-that is, all that will not be needed for today's
red Phil, wit
er I try it," adde
Combined Shows." Below this lettering appeared the names of the boats. The "River Q
Yellow Peril,'" laughed Phil. "Don't you
laughed goo
o the "Queen" was na
med her the "Fat Ma
rth, much to the am
Spar
tended to use the "Nemah" as the Flying Squadron of the show, the boat that went ahead of the main body o
ve renamed the 'River Queen' and the 'Mary Jane,' I suppose you will not be
'" answered th
came across in all my circus ex
we sleep?"
ripped out, down there, and the deck flooring lowered a little so that the elephants will have room to stand. I have also had
ed Phil. "You never will be able
ee. Have you noticed that the cen
did obse
o out on the 'Little Nemo,' as you have named her. At first, handling the show will be a little awkward, but we shall soon get the hang of it and fit into the new arrangement just as if we had been always traveling on boats. Traveling on the water, you see,
se, I should say," rejoined Phil. "Why, i
o we go?"
gth of t
Gulf of
bably will be our las
not get wrecked
ut if we do,"
occur. I think our new plans will
ut do so. We shall
" and our rivals will
go on
un the show, Phil, as I shall be busy most of the day arranging for the transfer to our new quarters. I chose Saturda
t do we b
answered the show
ave these new nam
ey certainly mak
along
ircus Boys hurried back to the circus lot. Mr.
rculated that the show was to take to the river, and
the dressing tent, who were preparing for the para
t it did that afternoon. The performers were on their mettle and the li
unexpected header into the big net during his trapeze act, getting a jolt that made his head ache for an hour afterwards. Nothing e
t with excitement enough to