George, you're right," exclaimed Bruce. "Say, fellows, that makes
our work doubly important. These heavy circus vans may get into trouble
if all the lamps aren't in good order. You fellows be sure and report
for duty, will you?"

"Don't worry; there'll be enough of us to patrol to-night. I guess we're
all going to stay up and see the circus go through town, if it isn't
raining, aren't we, fellows?" asked Bud. And from the chorus of
affirmatives it was evident that few of the troop would be abed when the
"World's Mightiest, Most Magnificent Combination of Clever Animals and
Human Skill and Daring" rumbled through town.

By seven o'clock the rain had stopped entirely and, when the
lamp-lighting patrols started out in the gloaming, the storm clouds were
fast disappearing in the southwest, their edges splashed with the gold
and vermilion fire of the setting sun.

Indeed, by the time the second patrol had reported back at headquarters
and the third group of night watchers had started out, a big yellow moon
had appeared and the stars were twinkling merrily up above.

After the last patrol had been gone an hour the Scouts who, when their
duties were finished, had gathered in headquarters, moved on to the top
of Otter Creek hill. They had decided that this would be the best place
to watch the coming of the circus cavalcade.

The valley presented a queer appearance at that hour. Here and there
were red lights standing out against the darkness, while from various
points along the highway came the glow of tiny battery lamps as the
Scouts signaled to each other.

"They look like a lot of fireflies," said Bruce, after he had watched the
series of dots and dashes that the boys were flashing back and forth.

"Yes," said Bud, "just like mighty big fli--. Hi, fellows, here comes the
circus! See 'em--that string of lights coming down Willow Street--hear
that rumble of the wagons?"

"Sure enough!" exclaimed Bruce, who was as enthusiastic as the rest.

Up the long hill, in view of the group of wide-eyed and thoroughly
interested boys, came the phantom-like caravan. A string of swinging
lanterns fastened to the center pole of each wagon marked its course.

First in line were the grumbling and rumbling red and blue animal vans,
followed by two rattling canvas wagons. Then a troop of little black and
white ponies appeared hitched in fours to light gilt and red vehicles
that held all sorts of odds and ends. In the rear o