rray, as they had been when
they entered Guilford.

Under Ben's direction he wrapped himself in an old horse-blanket, and
lay down on the top of the wagon; and he was so tired from the
excitement of the day and night, that he had hardly stretched out at
full length before he was fast asleep.

CHAPTER IV.

THE FIRST DAY WITH THE CIRCUS.

When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he
was or how he came there. As far ahead and behind on the road as he
could see the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and
fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entry
into the town was about to be made. Directly opposite the wagon on which
he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close
behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny
ponies. Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road
was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it
seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and that he now
beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.

How different everything looked now, compared to the time when the
cavalcade marched into Guilford, dazzling every one with the gorgeous
display! Then the horses pranced gayly under their gaudy decorations,
the wagons were bright with glass, gilt, and flags, the lumbering
elephants and awkward camels were covered with fancifully embroidered
velvets, and even the drivers of the wagons were resplendent in their
uniforms of scarlet and gold. Now, in the gray light of the early
morning, everything was changed. The horses were tired and muddy, and
wore old and dirty harness; the gilded chariots were covered with
mud-bespattered canvas, which caused them to look like the most ordinary
of market wagons; the elephants and camels looked dingy, dirty, almost
repulsive; and the drivers were only a sleepy-looking set of men, who,
in their shirt-sleeves, were getting ready for the change which would
dazzle the eyes of the inhabitants of the town.

Toby descended from his lofty bed, rubbed his eyes to thoroughly awaken
himself, and under the guidance of Ben went to a little brook near by
and washed his face. He had been with the circus not quite ten hours,
but now he could not realize that it had ever seemed bright and
beautiful. He missed his comfortable bed, the quiet and cleanliness, and
the well-spread table; even although he had felt the lack of pare