Day was breaking.

　　Clouds of dense black smoke were rolling from the funnels of theSparling fleet, while steam was hissing from the overburdened safetyvalves.

　　The show was ready for its start down the river. The "Little Nemo"had already hoisted anchor and was drifting with the current awaiting thesignal to start her engines.

　　"All ashore that's going," sang a voice on each of the two boats lyingat the dock.

　　The boats' whistles broke out in three deafening, prolonged blastseach.

　　"Cast off!" bellowed the pilots.

　　Hawsers were hauled in and the distance between the dock and theboats slowly widened.

　　"We're off," shouted Teddy, waving his hat joyously.

　　"We will be more so, unless we get some sleep," warned Phil. "Iwould suggest that you and I turn in for a few hours. We both need abeauty sleep.""I don't," answered Teddy promptly.

　　"Think not?""No, sir. I'm handsome enough as it is. Even the fool donkeystands aghast when he comes face to face with my surpassing beauty.""How about the elephants?" twinkled Phil.

　　"Elephants don't count, at least not after twelve o'clock at night.""I move that we turn in just the same. We will sleep until sometimebefore noon, then we can get up and enjoy the ride. I understand weshall not reach the next stand until sometime this evening. This isgoing to be a great trip, Teddy.""It has been," nodded the other boy. "Where do we show first?""Milroy, I believe is the name of the place. I never heard of itbefore.""And probably you never will want to again, after you have beenthere. That is the case with most of these little tank towns. A fellowwonders where all the people come from who go to the show."The lads went to their cabin and were soon sound asleep. Theyrealized how tired they were when first they got into bed.

　　"This is great!" muttered Phil, as, lying in his bed, he felt the cool airdrifting in over him.

　　When they awakened the sun was at its zenith.

　　Phil consulted his watch.

　　"Wake up, Teddy. It is twelve o'clock."Teddy sleepily dragged himself from his bed, pulled himself wearily tothe window and threw open the blinds.

　　"Where are we?" asked Phil.

　　"Ask the pilot," grumbled Teddy. "How do you suppose I know?

　　This water looks like a big mud puddle. I'm hungry; aren't you?""Yes, I am. What are we going to do for breakfast? I never thoughtto bring along a lunch.""I've got an egg," chuckled Teddy.

　　"You are welcome to it. I don't care for any, thank you."Just then there came a rap on their door.

　　Phil opened it and looked out.

　　"Mr. Sparling wishes to know if you are ready for breakfast?" askedthe man, whom they recognized as the showman's personal servant.

　　"Am I ready for breakfast?" shouted Teddy. "Tell Mr. Sparling heought to know better than to ask a question like that. What's this, a joke?

　　We can't get any breakfast on this old tub.""Mr. Sparling directs me to ask you to join him in his cabin forbreakfast in ten minutes.""Thank you. Tell him we shall be on hand," smiled Phil.

　　"I hope it isn't a joke," grumbled Teddy, pulling on his trousers.

　　"Now, isn't that fine of Mr. Sparling, old fellow?" asked Phil, withglowing eyes.

　　"Tell you better after I sample the breakfast. I'm suspicious.""You need not be. Mr. Sparling would not be so unkind as to inviteus to eat breakfast with him unless he had some breakfast to offer us.""Well, I hope it's straight," muttered the doubting Teddy. A fewminutes later the lads presented themselves at the door of the owner'scabin.

　　"Good morning, boys; how did you sleep last night?" he greeted them,with a cordial smile and a handshake for each.

　　"I was dead to the world," answered Teddy, with his customarybluntness of speech.

　　"I guess we all were," smiled the showman. "All day and all nightwas rather trying, but we shall not have the same trouble after this; at leastnot after the next stand. Everything should be in excellent working orderafter Monday. Sit down and have some breakfast with me."An appetizing meal had been spread in the cabin. Teddy surveyedthe table with wistful eyes.

　　"I did not know you were going to serve meals on board," said Phil.

　　"I am not, generally speaking. This is different. I would not ask ourpeople to go all day without anything to eat. I have had a cold mealprepared in the main cabin, with hot coffee to wash it down. I thoughtyou boys might like to join me here for a real meal. Having a real mealis one of the privileges of the owner of the show, you know," replied Mr.

　　Sparling, with a hearty laugh, in which the boys joined.

　　"I was going to eat my egg," said Teddy humorously.

　　"It is very kind of you, Mr. Sparling," said ............