s so, Sarah. Just as soon as the show is over, foller me, and
we'll try to find him."

At length the last act was ended, and the crowd of spectators began
pouring from the tent.

Mr. Bickford hurriedly emerged from the audience, and began to look
around for Kit. He had but little trouble in finding him, for the boy
purposely put himself in his way. Aaron Bickford strode up to him.

"Well, I've caught you at last!" he said, putting his hand on the boy's
shoulder.

"What do you want of me, Mr. Bickford?" said Kit.

"What do I want of you? Well, I want you to go home with me, of
course."

"Won't you let me stay with the circus a week?" asked Kit, in a subdued
tone.

"No, I won't. I've got the wagon here, and I'm goin' to take you back
with me to-night."

"If you really think my uncle wishes it, perhaps I had better go," said
Kit, in what appeared to be a wavering tone.

Mr. Bickford was quite elated. He feared he should have trouble in
persuading Kit to accompany him. He would not have been surprised if the
boy had disappeared, and given him trouble to find him, and his
unexpected submissiveness was an agreeable surprise.

"Well, boy, it's time to be goin'. Oakford's six miles off, and we won't
get home before midnight unless we start right off."

"I'll go and get my things, Mr. Bickford. Where is your horse and
wagon?"

"Out by the entrance. It's hitched to a tree."

"All right! You go and unhitch the horse, and I'll be right along."

"But suppose you give me the slip? You'd better go along now."

"I'll bring him with me, Mr. Bickford," said the giant. "I'm sorry he
isn't going to stay with us, and I'll see him off."

Achilles Henderson spoke in so straightforward a manner that Mr.
Bickford was deceived.

"Very well," he said. "I'll go along with Mrs. Bickford. Don't keep me
waitin', for it's gettin' late."

The blacksmith and his wife took up their march to the place where their
team had been hitched. They found it safe, and untied the horse.

"We're goin' to have a dark ride home, mother," he said.

"Yes, Aaron, but you've done a good evening's work."

"That's so, Sarah. I expected I'd have more trouble with the boy."

"There's nothing like being firm, Aaron. When he saw you were in
earnest, he gave up."

"I mean to keep a tight rein on him, Sarah. He's a boy that likes to
have his own way, if I ain't greatly mistaken. We must break his will."

The horse was unhitched, and still Kit had no