f their tour.
"Say, just fancy that old elephant and that camel taken in connection
with us scouts!" gurgled Bobolink, as he turned his camera loose, and
once more looked for a chance to seize some fellow's bucket.
"Not to mention the cages of _ferocious_ wild beasts yonder, and the
ladies of the circus taking cups of water right from our hands as though
they were really tamed. It's going to be the biggest card we ever met up
with," and William thumped himself proudly on the chest as he spoke.
But Paul was thinking of other things. That picture would be mute
evidence of the new spirit that had taken lodgment in the breasts of
those Stanhope lads, connected with the scout movement. There they would
appear, as busy as beavers, doing a real good turn in quenching the
thirst of all those poor animals that had been traveling over the dusty
road since the show closed in the other town.
It would need no explanation, for Paul believed any one could read
between the lines, and understand.
Their half hour was lengthened to a full one, owing to this unexpected
delay. When the caravan finally meandered along the road, and the
members of the circus gave a cheer for the boys on the hillside, Paul
believed that the additional time had been well spent.
And not one single badge now remained upside-down, since every fellow
felt that he had won the right to wear it in its proper position.
"Give them three cheers!" he called, as the caravan drew near the bend
in the road that would shut it from view.
There was a lusty response from more than a score of healthy lungs,
while both drum and bugle added to the racket. Presently, the dust
hanging like a cloud at the turn was the only sign left of the passing
of the circus. But the memory of the humane deed they had done would
remain with the boys a long time.
Once again they were on the move. Dobbin had managed to survive the near
presence of those unfamiliar animals, and seemed to put more vigor than
formerly into his work. Perhaps he was anxious to place as much distance
as possible between his own person and the terrifying beasts of the
jungle.
When noon arrived the young scouts found themselves about five miles
away from town. This was really further than a number of the lads had
ever been in this direction. Still, there had been no rush, and Paul
knew that his command must be in pretty good shape thus far.
Most of them appeared to be merry enough, and joked as they wa
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