minutes before the close of the afternoon
performance. His act had been unusually successful, but he was still
impressed with the idea that he must make it more novel. He and Mr.
Fleet had arranged to give Toto another trial when the crowd should
have departed, and Joe had come to the animal tent to talk to the dog
trainer.

The chariot races were over, the "grand concert" had been given, and
now the crowd began to file out of the big tent. Some, especially those
with children, were coming back into the animal tent for another look
at the elephants, camels, lions, tigers and other beasts, but most of
the audience was satisfied with the view they had had in passing
through to the "main top."

"What's the matter, Senor Bogardi?" asked Joe, as he saw the lion tamer
with an anxious look in his face, standing near a cage which was
covered with canvas. "More trouble?"

"Yes, friend Strong, more trouble," replied the man who went into their
cages and put the lions through their several tricks. "This time it is
Prince."

"The big Barbary lion?"

"Yes. Ever since we had to shoot his mate, Princess, he has not been
like himself. To-day he began throwing himself with all his force
against the iron door. He even started some of the bars, so I had to
screen him from the public to quiet him."

"Did it?"

"Yes, he seems to be more tractable now. But I want to see if I can not
take off the canvas. The public does not like it that they do not see
all the animals. I hope Prince is not going on a rampage as Princess
did."

Joe recalled the time when, by quick action, he had prevented the
lioness from escaping. She had been shot later, while he was in the
hospital recovering from the effects of a fall from his trapeze. Now
her mate was making trouble.

"Softly now, Prince! Softly," began the lion tamer, as he removed the
canvas cover. "Softly now, old boy!"

But no sooner was the cover off than the lion, which had been lying
down, jumped up with a roar and dashed himself against the iron door of
his cage.

Women in the crowd screamed with terror, and there was a rush to get
out of the tent.

"There is no danger!" Senor Bogardi assured the people. But they
thought it safer outside, and the rush for the exit continued.

The lion kept on throwing himself against the door, as though trying to
break out.

"We must put the canvas back!" cried the tamer.

"I'll help," offered Joe.

But, even as he spoke, the lion with one