f the ponies followed
the camels; great, long-legged creatures that grunted at every stride as
if they were indignant at being kept up so late. Gaudy band wagons, the
cook's outfit and a heterogeneous assortment of vehicles came next, all
of them moving slowly up the hill while the drivers dozed in their seats.

"Say, isn't it great?" cried Romper Ryan as he took in every little
detail.

"You bet it is!" returned Babe Wilson, breathlessly. "I wonder where the
elephants are. Oh, here they come!"

The clank of chains could be heard above the grumble of the wagons, and a
moment later five huge elephants appeared out of the darkness. They
lumbered along sleepily, their massive heads and long trunks swaying from
side to side at every stride. The forelegs of each beast were chained
together with stout links of iron, but there was little need of fetters,
for the animals were apparently so docile that the idea of running away
seemed farthest from their minds. The leader of the drove was, of
course, the largest and apparently the meekest, for as he scuffled by the
Scouts the boys saw that he walked with his tiny eyes closed exactly as
if he were asleep.

A string of a dozen red vans followed the elephants, and at the very rear
of the line was the big steam calliope. It was muffled and silent now,
out its driver was snoring lustily as if to keep its reputation.

"Gee, but that was worth staying up to see," said Ray Martin, the first
to find his tongue, after the cavalcade had passed on down the valley.

"You bet it was," said Bruce. "Jove, I'm almost sorry we decided--Say!
Look! Something has happened! See the lights down there by the old
quarry hole? The circus has stopped! Look, there are some signals!
It's the patrol! Can you read them?"

"'We--need--help. Elephant--in--in--'
What the dickens is he talking about? I couldn't get that last, could
you, Bruce?" asked Bud Weir.

"Yes; he said that an elephant is in the quarry hole. By George, one of
those big beasts has fallen down into Tollen's old quarry. There was a
washout down there. Come on, fellows!" And the Scouts started at top
speed down the North Valley road toward the scene of trouble.

CHAPTER V

A SCOUT IS RESOURCEFUL

Bedlam reigned at the quarry hole. A score of frantic circus men were
shouting orders at each other, lanterns were bobbing about among the
wagons, and every one was beside himself with excitement. One little
gr