position carried by a unanimous vote. "I think it starts around half
past two," he said, "and I guess we can all be there by that time, can't
we?"

It appeared that everybody could, and after discussing incidents of
circuses they had seen in the past the group dispersed to their
respective rooms.

The next day was clear and bright, and at the appointed time the merry
group met on the campus and took their way in high spirits toward the
center of the town, where the circus had pitched its tents. Many others
were going the same way, and numerous were the jokes and furious the
repartee exchanged between the different groups. In a short time they
reached the "big top," and after inspecting the grounds and gazing in
mock wonder at the portraits of bearded ladies and wondrously thin
"living skeletons," made for the gorgeously decorated ticket wagons and
secured their tickets.

"It's more fun, of course," said Tom, "to crawl in under the canvas, but
I'm afraid that wouldn't be quite dignified enough for me. The rest of
you can go in that way if you like, however. Don't let me interfere with
your pleasure."

"If you get off much more of that stuff we'll show the crowd a
'Christian martyr' stunt by feeding you to the lions," threatened Bert.
"Maybe the animals could appreciate you better than we can."

"Yes, I've heard that in many respects animals are wiser than men,"
retorted Tom, "and I wouldn't be surprised at that. I don't see how they
could have much less sense than some people I know."

"I wonder if he means us?" inquired Bert seriously. "It hardly seems
possible, does it?"

"Oh, no, I wasn't thinking of you at all," said Tom. "I was thinking of
the faculty when I said that."

"Well," said Bert amid a general laugh, "in that case we'll forgive all
your past offenses and start you off with a clean slate. Your sentiments
regarding the faculty do you credit."

By this time the group found themselves opposite the beginning of the
row of cages containing the menagerie, and started out on a tour of
inspection. There was a big crowd and progress could only be made at a
snail's pace. By the time they had reached the elephants it was close on
to the time set for the show to begin, and after feeding the big brutes
a few peanuts they hurried into the main tent. They secured seats near
the top of the high tier of loose planks placed on trestles, and settled
themselves to enjoy the performance. Before ascending to their pla