an' run away, just because they didn't look out for themselves as
they ought to. Now listen to me, Toby, an' remember what I say. You see
they put us all in a hotel together, an' some of these places where we
go don't have any too much stuff on the table. Whenever we strike a new
town you find out at the hotel what time they have the grub ready, an'
you be on hand, so's to get in with the first. Eat all you can, an' fill
your pockets."

"If that's all a feller has to do to travel with a circus," said Toby,
"I'm just the one, 'cause I always used to do just that when I hadn't
any idea of bein' a circus man."

"Then you'll get along all right," said Ben, as he checked the speed of
his horses and, looking carefully ahead, said, as he guided his team to
one side of the road, "This is as far as we're going tonight."

Toby learned that they were within a couple of miles of the town, and
that the entire procession would remain by the roadside until time to
make the grand entree into the village, when every wagon, horse, and man
would be decked out in the most gorgeous array, 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.

IV. THE FIRST DAY WITH THE CIRCUS

When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he
was or bow 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 everyone 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