Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/199

 flaps, and he said: 'I heard you shouting at the beasts, señor. Such a confusion, I had to look within. Surely, they must be devils. I must see them all to-morrow.'

"Tib snapped the barricades in place in a jiffy, and said, stiffly: 'I never give a performance unless I have all my animals. These are but the advance-wagons and tent. If the others do not arrive, I cannot exhibit.'

"‘But, señor, I have tickets. I have invited my friends. As alcalde I shall command you to exhibit to-morrow to prove you are not a humbug,' cried the intruder.

"‘That comes of profanity, Murphy,' groaned Tib, after the alcalde left us. 'I brought these suits along as a safeguard, so that if any one should get a peep the fleeting glance would not arouse suspicion. Now, hang it all! we've got to give a performance to placate the mayor. For if we don't we can never leave town. So you've got to learn your wild-wood lessons, my lads.'

"Tor mercy's sake, gimme a drink of water!' moaned the bear.

"‘A sup of th' crathur!' howled Murphy, and before we could quiet them we had to pass a bottle.

"We didn't dare allow them to remove their disguises, and between the temperature and the fleas I am afraid they passed a troubled night. But early