ALL ABOARD FOR THE GULF!
Day was breaking.
Clouds of dense black smoke were rolling from the funnels of the Sparling fleet, while steam was hissing from the overburdened safety valves.
The show was ready for its start down the river.The "Little Nemo" had already hoisted anchor and was drifting with the current awaiting the signal to start her engines.
"All ashore that's going," sang a voice on each of the two boats lying at the dock.
The boats' whistles broke out in three deafening, prolonged blasts each.
"Cast off!" bellowed the pilots.
Hawsers were hauled in and the distance between the dock and the boats slowly widened.
"We're off," shouted Teddy, waving his hat joyously.
"We will be more so, unless we get some sleep," warned Phil."I would suggest that you and I turn in for a few hours.We both need a beauty sleep.""I don't," answered Teddy promptly."Think not?""No, sir.I'm handsome enough as it is.Even the fool donkey stands aghast when he comes face to face with my surpassing beauty.""How about the elephants?" twinkled Phil.
"Elephants don't count, at least not after twelve o'clockat night.""I move that we turn in just the same.We will sleep until sometime before noon, then we can get up and enjoy the ride.I understand we shall not reach the next stand until sometime this evening.This is going to be a great trip, Teddy.""It has been," nodded the other boy."Where do we show first?" "Milroy, I believe is the name of the place.I never heard ofitbefore."
"And probably you never will want to again, after you have been there.That is the case with most of these little tank towns.A fellow wonders where all the people comefrom who go to the show."The lads went to their cabin and were soon sound asleep.They realized how tired they were when first they got into bed.
"This is great!" muttered Phil, as, lying in his bed, he felt the cool air drifting in over him.
When they awakened the sun was at its zenith.Phil consulted his watch.
"Wake up, Teddy.It is twelve o'clock."
Teddy sleepily dragged himself from his bed, pulled himself wearily to the window and threw open the blinds.
"Where are we?" asked Phil.
"Ask the pilot," grumbled Teddy."How do you suppose I know? This water looks like a big mud puddle.I'm hungry; aren't you?""Yes, I am.What are we going to do for breakfast? I never thought to bring along a lunch.""I've got an egg," chuckled Teddy.
"You are welcome to it.I don't care for any, thank you." Just then there came a rap on their door.
Phil opened it and looked out.
"Mr.Sparling wishes to know if you are ready for breakfast?" asked the man, whom they recognized as the showman's personal servant.
"Am I ready for breakfast?" shouted Teddy."Tell Mr.Sparling he ought to know better than to ask a question like that.What's this, a joke? We can't get any breakfast on this old tub.""Mr.Sparling directs me to ask you to join him in his cabin for breakfast in ten minutes.""Thank you.Tell him we shall be on hand," smiled Phil.
"I hope it isn't a joke," grumbled Teddy, pulling on his trousers.
"Now, isn't that fine of Mr.Sparling, old fellow?" asked Phil, with glowing eyes.
"Tell you better after I sample the breakfast.I'm suspicious.""You need not be.Mr.Sparling would not be so unkind as to invite us to eat breakfast with him unless he had some breakfast to offer us.""Well, I hope it's straight," muttered the doubting Teddy.A few minutes later the lads presented themselves at the door of the owner's cabin.
"Good morning, boys; how did you sleep last night?" he greeted them, with a cordial smile and a handshake for each.
"I was dead to the world," answered Teddy, with his customary bluntness of speech.
"I guess we all were," smiled the showman."All day and all night was rather trying, but we shall not have the same trouble after this; at least not after the next stand.Everything should be in excellent working order after Monday.Sit down and have some breakfast with me."An appetizing meal had been spread in the cabin.Teddy surveyed the table with wistful eyes.
"I did not know you were going to serve meals on board," said Phil.
"I am not, generally speaking.This is different.I would not ask our people to go all day without anything to eat.I have had a cold meal prepared in the main cabin, with hot coffee to wash it down.I thought you boys might like to join me here for a real meal.Having a real meal is one of the privileges of the owner of the show, you know," replied Mr.Sparling, with a hearty laugh, in which the boys joined.
"I was going to eat my egg," said Teddy humorously.
