ces
they had amply provided themselves with popcorn and peanuts, without
which, as one of the fellows remarked, a "circus wasn't a circus."

The circus was one of the smaller variety, but had a reputation of
giving a first-class exhibition, and in the opinion of some of the
spectators was more satisfactory to watch than one of the big shows,
where the very multiplicity of attractions made it difficult for the
spectator to really enjoy anything. The onlooker's attention is drawn by
a burst of applause in some distant line of seats, and while he is
trying to make out what is going on there he misses, most likely, the
act that is being performed near him.

This circus had only two rings, but the acts presented were of a high
character and our friends enjoyed everything from the opening parade to
the final act, in which a man "looped the loop" on a bicycle. At the
conclusion of this feat, Dick leaned over toward Bert. "Why don't you
try that stunt on a bicycle some time, Bert?" he inquired, "it ought to
be a cinch for you."

"Too easy, too easy," laughed Bert, "give me something hard while you're
about it. Just the same," he added more seriously, "it is a mighty hard
stunt, and requires nerve and skill of the highest sort. Personally, I'd
rather make a living some other way."

By this time they were able to make their way through the throng to the
main entrance, and were just passing through into the outer tent when
they were startled by hearing shouts and screams from the direction of
the animal cages. There was a wild flurry and commotion in the crowd in
front of them, and suddenly they saw a great tawny form flying through
the air. The people in the path of the beast scattered wildly to left
and right, and the brute landed on the sawdust floor without doing any
damage. He stood there a moment glaring about him, swishing his tail
angrily back and forth. Meanwhile there was a mad scramble for the
exits, and many persons were thrown down and trampled in the crush.

The group of collegians had stood stupefied for a few minutes watching
the escaped lion, for such the animal proved to be. The big brute seemed
bewildered by the crowds and the shouting, and knew not what use to make
of his new-found freedom. But suddenly he emitted a deep roar, and
bounded toward the main exit, in which a struggling, shouting crowd was
now solidly packed. Suddenly Bert sprang into action. "Head him off!
head him off!" he shouted and, suitin