"I guess we shall have to call her the 'Yellow Peril,'" laughed Phil."Don't you think that would be an appropriate name?"Mr.Sparling laughed good-naturedly.
The companion boat to the "Queen" was named the "Mary Jane." Teddy promptly renamed her the "Fat Marie," in honor of The Fattest Woman on Earth, much to the amusement of Phil and Mr.Sparling.
The "Nemah" was the third boat of the fleet, a much smaller craft than either of the others.The owner intended to use the "Nemah" as the Flying Squadron of the show, the boat that went ahead of the main body of the show, bearing the cook tent, kitchen equipment and as much other property as could be loaded on it.
"Well, Teddy," said Mr.Sparling, "in view of the fact that you and Phil have renamed the 'River Queen' and the 'Mary Jane,' I suppose you will not be satisfied until you have rechristened the 'Nemah.' What will you call her?""'Little Nemo,'" answered the lad promptly.
"You boys beat anything I ever came across in all my circus experience," remarked Mr.Sparling.
"Where do we sleep?" asked Phil.
"The cabins are all on the upper decks.The lower decks will be used wholly for the equipment.I have had all the partitions ripped out, down there, and the deck flooring lowered a little so that the elephants will have room to stand.I have also had smaller wheels put on all the wagons.Had I not done so the wagons would not have gone in through the openings on the sides.""What about the tent poles?" asked Phil."You never will be able to drive a pole wagon on board.""You have an eye to business, I see.Have you noticed that the center poles are spliced this season?""Yes, I did observe that."
"It was for the purpose of easier handling.The poles will all be swung to the upper decks in bundles.In the morning they will be lowered to the wagons, which can be done without much difficulty.All the poles, except those belonging to the big top, will go out on the 'Little Nemo,' as you have named her.At first, handling the show will be a little awkward, but we shall soon get the hang of it and fit into the new arrangement just as if we had been always traveling on boats.Traveling on the water, you see, we shall be able to show on both sides of the river all the way down, which we could not do were we traveling by train.That will give us a long season, short runs overnight and a fine outing.Everybody will be delighted with the change, don't you think so?""If not, they will be pretty hard to please, I should say," rejoined Phil."Why, it will be a regular vacation--all summer!""How far do we go?" asked Teddy."The length of the river.""To the Gulf of Mexico?"
"Yes.New Orleans probably will be our last stand of the season.That is, if we do not get wrecked on the big river.""We can swim out if we do," suggested Teddy.
"I hope nothing of the sort will occur.I think our new plans will make a great hit along the river.""They cannot help but do so.We shall have a fine business, I know," smiled Phil," and our rivals will be green with envy.""May we go on board?"
"I hardly think you will have time this morning, Teddy.You boys had better get back to the lot now.I will let you run the show, Phil, as I shall be busy most of the day arranging for the transfer to our new quarters.I chose Saturday for the purpose, as it will give us plenty of time.We probably shall not get away from here much before daylight.""What boat do we berth on?"
"The 'Fat Marie,'" answered the showman, with a laugh."I believe I'll have these new names of yours painted on the boats.They certainly make a hit with me.Skip along, now!"Almost too full of the new plans to talk, the Circus Boys hurried back to the circus lot.Mr.Sparling's surprise had been a surprise, indeed.
By the time they reached the lot the news had been circulated that the show was to take to the river, and the show people were discussing excitedly the new plan.
All was bustle and excitement, and the occupants of the dressing tent, who were preparing for the parade, crowded about the boys to hear of the new boats.
The Sparling show had never gone along with the snap and enthusiasm that it did that afternoon.The performers were on their mettle and the little town was treated to a performance such as it had never seen before.
Teddy distinguished himself by landing on his head on the somersaulting mat, narrowly escaping breaking his neck, and Phil took an unexpected header into the big net during his trapeze act, getting a jolt that made his head ache for an hour afterwards.Nothing else of an exciting nature occurred during the afternoon performance, but at the evening showthe circus people were not so fortunate.
At that performance they met with excitement enough to last them for a long time.
