Cedarville," said Sam as they
left the train and started for the dock from which the _Golden Star_
made her trips on the lake. But they were doomed to disappointment, the
steamboat had had a break-down and would be delayed two hours or more.

As there was nothing to do but to wait, the boys checked their
dress-suit cases and then started for a stroll through the city. They
soon learned that a wild west show was giving an exhibition there and
consequently the place was crowded with folks from the surrounding
districts.

"I shouldn't mind going to the wild west show," observed Tom. "Do you
think we have time?"

"We could spend an hour there anyway," answered Sam.

"It depends on where the show is to be held," came from Dick.

They soon ascertained that the show grounds were not far off, and made
their way thither. The exhibition had already started, and they got
inside the big tent-like enclosure as speedily as possible.

The show was a fairly good one, and the boys thoroughly enjoyed the
trick riding by cowboys, and the fancy rifle shooting. Then came some
wild riding by real Indians.

"Almost makes a fellow feel as if he'd like to be on a horse himself,"
said Tom. He liked horseback riding very well.

"Say, I want you to look over there," said Sam, pointing to the seats
some distance away. "Do you see that man sitting near the bottom--right
beside that boy with the basket of peanuts?"

Tom and Dick looked in the direction pointed out, and the eldest Rover
gave a start.

"Sam, do you think it is the fellow called Merrick?" he exclaimed.

"Doesn't he look like it?"

"He certainly does--now you speak of it," came from Tom. "And, by the
way, don't you remember about that envelope picked up in the log cabin?
It was postmarked Ithaca."

"So it was! Perhaps this Merrick lives here."

"Let us go over and get a closer look at him," said Dick, and left his
seat, followed by the others.

There was a large crowd, so they had some difficulty in making their way
to where the man was located. In his haste, Dick bumped against a waiter
selling lemonade and spilled the contents of two glasses on the ground.

"Excuse me," he said.

"Hi! you've got to pay for the lemonade," roared the waiter, angrily.
"You pay up, you clumsy clown!"

"See here, my man, I'll pay you, but I want you to understand you can't
call me a clown," said Dick, angrily.

"Ah! go on wid yer! Pay up, see?"

"Here's your money," and Dick held