a hundred years old, but goats not so long,
and as it had been many years since these two had traveled and
performed in the same circus, the elephant had taken it for granted
that Billy was dead.

"Excuse me a minute until I throw out these smelly young kids. I can't
stand their odor," said the elephant.

"If you don't mind, I will put them out myself, as I think I can do it
more gently than you could, and I happen to have an interest in those
particular kids as they are my well beloved grandchildren whom I have
not seen for two years," replied Billy.

[Illustration]

"Your grandchildren!" exclaimed the elephant. "I beg your pardon. Had
I known they were related to you in the most distant manner, I would
not have harmed a hair of their skin. I do hope you will forgive me!"

"Certainly I will forgive you. And perhaps they were annoying you and
deserved being punished, for as I remember them they were pretty
mischievous kids."

"Take after their grandfather, eh?" said the elephant.

"I guess so," said Billy.

"Baa, baa, baa!" came a voice as sweet as music to Billy's ears and
turning he saw his darling wife looking through the fence.

"How did you get shut in there?" he asked. "I'll be with you in a
minute!" But though he looked and looked he could find no opening
leading into the yard where Nannie was confined. He had gotten into
the elephant's yard by jumping through an open window in the
elephant's house and running out the door that led to the yard, and
Stubby and Button had followed him. Billy had recognized the kids, and
seeing them in danger he had not stopped to figure how they got there,
but had rushed to their rescue immediately. He and Stubby and Button
had just arrived in the Park after their long journey from New York
State, and were looking for the family when they chanced to turn a
corner in the path and came upon this scene.

The kids slipped back into the goat yard the way they had left it,
while Billy, Stubby and Button stood and talked to Nannie, the fence
between them.

"Oh, if I could only find a way to get over into your yard," baaed
Billy to Nannie.

"I have it!" said the elephant. "I can get you all over there if you
don't mind being dropped a few feet."

"Certainly we don't, but how are you going to do it?"

"I'll just pick you up with my trunk and drop you on the other side of
the fence."

"You can't do it," said Billy. "I am too heavy."

"Indeed, I _can_ do it! I guess you