olves. Keep off!"

This cage was placed in the corner near the band-stand, where the
musician could attend to his musical work and have a watchful eye on his
pets at the same time.

Reddy had been busily engaged in painting a notice to be hung up over
the calf; and, as he fastened it to the barn just over the spot where
the animal was to be kept, Bob read, with no small degree of pride in
the thought that he was the fortunate possessor of such a prize,

GRIzsLee BARE
FROM THE ROCKY MOunTAINS

Then the artist went back to his task of painting posters, while the
others set to work, full of determination to build the necessary number
of cages if there was wood enough in Uncle Daniel's barn.

They found timber enough and to spare; but, as it was not exactly the
kind they wanted, Toby proposed that they should all go over to the
house, explain the matter to Aunt Olive, and ask her to give them as
many empty boxes as she could afford to part with.

As has been said before, Aunt Olive looked upon the circus scheme with
favor, and when she was called upon to aid in the way of furnishing
cages for wild animals, she gave the boys full permission to take all
the boxes they could find in the shed. They found so many that they were
able to select those best suited to the different species of animals,
and yet have quite a stock to fall back upon in case they should make
additions to their menagerie.

Now that the boys had found cages ready made, and needing only some bars
or slats across the front, they did not think it necessary to hurry.
They stayed for some time to talk of Abner, and to test some doughnuts
Aunt Olive was frying. It is very likely that they would have remained
even longer than they did, if the doughnut-frying had not been
completed, and the tempting dainties placed upon a high shelf beyond
their reach, as a gentle intimation that they had had about as many as
they would get that afternoon.

After leaving the house, they walked leisurely towards the barn, little
dreaming what a state of confusion their property was in--until Reddy
rushed out of the tent, his jacket torn, his face bleeding, and his
general appearance that of a boy who had been having rather a hard time
of it.

CHAPTER XIX

THE SHOW BROKE UP

"Why, what's the matter? Why don't you stay an' watch the animals?"
asked Bob, in a tone intended to convey reproach and surprise that one
of the