The Circus Boys on the Mississippi; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River

as br

he funnels of the Sparling fleet, while steam w

ttle Nemo" had already hoisted anchor and was drifting w

sang a voice on each of the

e out in three deafening

" bellowed

he distance between the dock

ted Teddy, waving

arned Phil. "I would suggest that you and I turn

answered Te

nk n

n the fool donkey stands aghast when he com

e elephants?"

, at least not after t

, then we can get up and enjoy the ride. I understand we shall not reach the ne

d the other boy. "Wh

e name of the place. I n

there. That is the case with most of these little tank towns. A

heir cabin and wer

ed they were when fir

as, lying in his bed, he felt th

ned the sun was

sulted h

dy. It is twe

his bed, pulled himself wearily to t

e we?" as

mbled Teddy. "How do

a big mud puddle. I'

to do for breakfast? I never t

n egg," chu

it. I don't care f

re came a rap

d it and l

y for breakfast?" asked the man, whom they r

he ought to know better than to ask a question like that. Wh

k you to join him in his cabin

im we shall be on

e," grumbled Teddy, pu

. Sparling, old fellow?" as

r I sample the breakf

unkind as to invite us to eat breakfast with

ting Teddy. A few minutes later the lads presen

last night?" he greeted them, with a

answered Teddy, with his cu

shall not have the same trouble after this; at least not after the next stand. Everything

read in the cabin. Teddy surve

re going to serve meal

l prepared in the main cabin, with hot coffee to wash it down. I thought you boys might like to join me here for a real meal. Having a re

at my egg," said

ust wondering what we should do for breakfast, and Teddy, as

aw

replied Phil, wi

strong," declared Tedd

piece of one once, and it was quite

ha!" replied Teddy

r that they felt free to talk with him as they would to each other. At le

ght, Mr. Sparling?

time enough. I never like to do any more wo

ded his

e rest and the relaxation. That reminds me of what I wanted to s

nced up i

l around. When the fool donkey gets through wiping up a whole county with me, the elepha

e deck," cor

t spread to catch me. I'll bet I would have made a hit in the ring with that donkey wrestling bout. I gue

something I want to ask you,

s,

that Jupiter acted very

e the first of it,

you think

know what

lance at the Circus Boy's

you thi

ural for Jupiter to balk g

ving hurled Teddy

Mar

is dif

y suspicions in y

a moment, toying ab

ime, and, as I thought it over, I became more and more convinced t

if Phil's suggestion ag

think happene

do you

had some reason for driving everyone away f

to bother them while we were

said Mr. Sparl

o was there on the

Spar

t parti

e of the sh

o men off in particular, but I did not

ay rather too quickly

ou think

not answe

o were th

know, Mr.

nk you recognized them, and as I said before

ng," answered the Circus Boy, looki

ur duty t

njust to do so, and I know you would

Forrest," said the showman,

to do with my aerial flight last night," growled Teddy. "They

y attention to

think, however, Mr. Sp

am trying to

using him to turn on Teddy. And it is my opinion that if you will examine the animal

ttered an angr

listened to the conversation, went crashing to

the conference