I don't know just where he is at present."

"Do you know why I've come here this evening?"

"To see the show, I expect."

"I've come to get that boy. I've no doubt he's somewhere about here."

"Oho!" thought the giant; "I must put my young friend on his guard."

"If you'll help me I'll do as much for you some time."

"So you are going to carry him back with you?" went on Achilles,
desirous of learning the extent of Kit's danger.

"Yes, I am."

"You say he is your apprentice?"

"Of course he is."

"And you've got the papers to show for it?"

"I don't need no papers. I've got his uncle's consent."

"I think, my friend, you're not familiar with the law," thought
Achilles. "Kit won't go with you to-night."

But it was nearly time for the performance. Mr. and Mrs. Bickford left
the smaller tent, and entering the big one took their seats. They
watched the performance with great wonder and enjoyment till the
entrance of Kit and the Vincenti brothers. They did not immediately
discover him, but when he stood on the shoulders of Alonzo Vincenti,
who, in turn, stood on the shoulders of Antonio, and the three-storied
acrobat walked round the ring, Mrs. Bickford recognized Kit, and,
pointing with her parasol to the young acrobat, as she half raised
herself from her seat, she exclaimed in a shrill voice: "Look, Aaron,
there's your boy, all rigged out in circus clothes!"

"Well, that beats all!" ejaculated the blacksmith, gazing with wide open
mouth at Kit.

Just then, Kit, reversing his attitude, raised his feet in the air and
was borne round the ring, amid the plaudits of the spectators.

"How do you think he does it?" asked Mrs. Bickford in astonishment.

"I give it up," said the blacksmith.

"He's a smart critter. Do you think they pay him?"

"I reckon he gets two or three dollars a week, but he hain't no business
to hire out to the circus folks. He's going back with us to-night, and
I'll turn him out a blacksmith in two years."

When Kit had finished his act, he went to the dressing room and changed
his clothes.

"I wonder whether the old fellow is after me!" he thought. "What could
have put it into his head that I was here?"

As he emerged from the dressing room he met Mr. Barlow, the proprietor
of the circus, who advanced towards him, and shook his hand cordially.

"Bravo, my young friend!" he said. "You did yourself great credit. Are
you sure you have never performed in a circus before?"

"Quite s