. The banquet
table seemed to burst into flames. The dishes of food blazed up, and the
audience gasped.

But the young men, the young women, and Joe Strong did not seem in the
least surprised. They kept their seats and went right on eating.

And then, with a thrill of surprise, it was noticed that Joe Strong and
his guests were devouring the blazing food itself! The girls and young
men put portion after portion of the blazing viands into their mouths!

CHAPTER XXI

HAM IS MISSING

Surprise and astonishment held the audience silent and spellbound for a
moment. Then a woman screamed, and, ready for this emergency and fearing
a panic, than which nothing is more dreaded by circus men, Jim Tracy
cried:

"Sit still! Keep your seats! There is no danger! This is all part of the
show. We are merely showing you how to eat your meals in case any of you
ever get caught in a blazing volcano. Watch the ladies and gentlemen eat
their stuff hot--right off the fire!"

There was a laugh at this sally, and a laugh was what the ringmaster
wanted more than anything else just then. He knew the tide of fear had
been changed to one of wondering admiration.

And so, sitting on the stage in sight of the thrilled audience, Joe
Strong and his guests, in the shape of pretty girls and manly young
fellows fancifully attired, continued to eat the blazing food.

The very pieces of bread seemed to be on fire, there was a dancing flame
over the butter, and each bit of meat or other food Joe and the
performers lifted on their forks was alive with leaping fire.

Then the daring feature of the act was borne home to the audience and
the applause broke forth--applause loud and long. There were yells and
whistles from the younger and more enthusiastic portion of the circus
crowd.

And then the fires died away. The table seemed emptied of victuals, and
the young men and women, imitating Joe's example, leaned back in their
chairs as though well satisfied with their hot meal.

"There you are, ladies and gentlemen!" declaimed the ringmaster. "They
have come to no harm from eating living fire. If any of you are tired of
cold victuals, kindly step forward and you will be treated to a free,
hot lunch by Professor Strong."

"Not any in mine, thank you," murmured a man, and that seemed to be the
general opinion.

As Joe and his new associates arose to bow to the renewed applause, the
ringmaster made an announcement.

"A blazing banquet, such