and could never be
surprised any more.

"What are 'crowbackic exercises?'" asked Billy, thirsting for
information.

"Leaping and climbing and tumbling; you'll see--George! what a
stunning horse!" and Ben forgot everything else to feast his eyes
on the handsome creature who now came pacing in to dance, upset and
replace chairs, kneel, bow, and perform many wonderful or graceful
feats, ending with a swift gallop while the rider sat in a chair on
its back fanning himself, with his legs crossed, as comfortably as you
please.

"That, now, is something like," and Ben's eyes shone with admiration
and envy as the pair vanished, and the pink and silver acrobats came
leaping into the ring.

The boys were especially interested in this part, and well they
might be; for strength and agility are manly attributes which lads
appreciate, and these lively fellows flew about like India rubber
balls, each trying to outdo the other, till the leader of the acrobats
capped the climax by turning a double somersault over five elephants
standing side by side.

"There, sir, how's that for a jump?" asked Ben, rubbing his hands with
satisfaction as his friends clapped till their palms tingled.

"We'll rig up a spring-board and try it," said Billy, fired with
emulation.

"Where'll you get your elephants?" asked Sam, scornfully, for
gymnastics were not in his line.

"You'll do for one," retorted Ben, and Billy and Bab joined in his
laugh so heartily that a rough-looking man who sat behind them,
hearing all they said, pronounced them a "jolly set," and kept his eye
on Sancho, who now showed signs of insubordination.

"Hullo, that wasn't on the bill!" cried Ben, as a parti-colored clown
came in, followed by half a dozen dogs.

"I'm so glad; now Sancho will like it. There's a poodle that might
be his ownty donty brother--the one with the blue ribbon," said Bab,
beaming with delight as the dogs took their seats in the chairs
arranged for them.

Sancho did like it only too well, for he scrambled out from under the
seat in a great hurry to go and greet his friends, and, being sharply
checked, set up and begged so piteously that Ben found it very hard
to refuse and order him down. He subsided for a moment, but when the
black spaniel, who acted the canine clown, did something funny and was
applauded, Sancho made a dart as if bent on leaping into the ring to
outdo his rival, and Ben was forced to box his ears and put his feet
on the poor bea