ed as a very fair adept; in the meantime,
Timothy had to undergo his career of gymnastics, and was to be seen all
day tumbling and retumbling, until he could tumble on his feet again.
Light and active, he soon became a very dexterous performer, and could
throw a somerset either backwards or forwards, walk on his hands, eat
fire, pull out ribbons, and do fifty other tricks to amuse a gaping
audience. Jumbo also was worked hard, to bring down his fat, and never
was allowed his dinner until he had given satisfaction to Melchior. Even
little Fleta had to practise occasionally, as we were preparing for an
expedition. Melchior, who appeared determined to create an effect, left
us for three days, and returned with not only dresses for Timothy and
me, but also new dresses for the rest of the company; and shortly
afterwards, bidding farewell to Nattee and the rest of the gipsies, we
all set out--that is, Melchior, I, Timothy, Fleta, Num, and Jumbo. Late
in the evening we arrived at the little town of ----, and took up our
quarters at a public-house, with the landlord of which Melchior had
already made arrangements.

"Well, Timothy," said I, as soon as we were in bed, "how do you like our
new life and prospects?"

"I like it better than Mr Cophagus's _rudimans_, and carrying out
physic, at all events. But how does your dignity like turning Merry
Andrew, Japhet?"

"To tell you the truth, I do not dislike it. There is a wildness and a
devil-may-care feeling connected with it which is grateful to me at
present. How long it may last I cannot tell; but for a year or two it
appears to me that we may be very happy. At all events, we shall see the
world, and have more than one profession to fall back upon."

"That is true; but there is one thing that annoys me, Japhet, which is,
we may have difficulty in leaving these people when we wish. Besides,
you forget that you are losing sight of the principal object you had in
view, that is, of 'finding out your father.'"

"I certainly never expect to find him among the gipsies," replied I,
"for children are at a premium with them. They steal from others, and
are not very likely therefore to leave them at the Foundling. But I do
not know whether I have not as good a chance in our present employment
as in any other. I have often been thinking that as fortune-tellers, we
may get hold of many strange secrets; however, we shall see. Melchior
says, that he intends to appear in that character as s