straightened
up with a snort that caused the crowd to fall back, knocking each other
over like dominos. Then he made a bound into the open space and stood on
his head. Then with a spring backward he landed on his feet, and waved a
bow to the Justice! Another bound and he was walking on his hands and
then, after another bow to the Court, he turned a series of somersaults
so rapidly that he looked like a great wheel! When he landed on his feet
this time, and bowed once more to the Court, the crowd broke out into a
mighty cheer of applause.

"Order!" shouted the Justice. "Order!"

It grew still, and the little boy looked at the Court anxiously.

"Please, Your Honor," he said humbly, "that's our case."

"Case!" roared the Justice. "Well, I should say that was a case of fits
and revolution."

At this the crowd cheered again until they were rapped to order by the
Court.

"I sentence you," he said solemnly, and looking sternly at Horatio, "to
sudden and disagreeable death!"

He paused, and Horatio staggered against Bo, who was very pale.

[Illustration: A CASE OF FITS AND REVOLUTION.]

"To sudden death," continued the Court, "if I catch you running off
and falling in the water with any more of my officer's clothes. And I
now fine you, for the first offense, a performance on the common for the
whole town! Court is adjourned! Show begins at once! Constable, bring
that fiddle!"

With a wild shout the people poured outside. Many scrambled over each
other to get near Bosephus and the wonderful Bear, and when the violin
was brought and the show had begun every soul in the village was
gathered on the common.

That night, when all was over, the little boy and the Bear were the
guests of the Justice, who owned a fine plantation adjoining the
village. During the evening he had a long talk with Bo, and seemed
greatly impressed with the little boy's natural ability and shrewdness.
When they parted next morning he said:--

"Remember, if you ever feel like giving up travel, come back here and
I'll send you to school and college and make a man of you."

"I'll remember," said Bo, as they shook hands. A crowd had gathered to
see the travellers off. The constable was among them, and as they
disappeared around a bend in the road he waved and shouted with the
rest.

"Bosephus," said Horatio gravely, "I hope you don't think of deserting
me. Remember how many close places I have helped you out of. This last
was a little the close