“Why, that man jumped over ten elephants in a line!” “That’s pretty good,” remarked Jack indifferently. “Pretty good? I should say it was. I’d like to see you do it.” “I think I’ll do it,” spoke Jack, who had just arrived at a certain decision. “What? Jump over ten elephants?” asked his companion, in astonishment. “Say, are you dreamin’?” “That’s right; I guess I was,” admitted Jack, with a laugh. “I was thinking about something else.” “Guess you don’t care much about a circus,” said Ferd. “I’m thinking too much of getting a job,” replied Jack. Ferd shook his head as if he could not understand Jack’s indifference. After the performance the farm boy wanted to treat Jack to popcorn, soda, and more frankfurters. Jack declined everything but the sausage sandwiches. “I can save them to eat when I’m hungry,” he said in explanation. “I may need a meal to-night.” “Why don’t you come home and stay with me a few days?” suggested Ferd. “My folks wouldn’t care, and maybe you could get a job somewhere in the neighborhood.” Jack thanked his new friend, but said he had other plans. A little later he parted from Ferd, and, by inquiring, he found the boss canvasman, who was taking a rest after his labors in superintending the erection of the tents. Jack explained what he wanted--an introduction to the manager, who had charge of hiring the performers. “Sure I’ll take you to him,” replied Ike Landon, “only I don’t believe you can do anything he’d want. Circus performers have to train for a good while.” “Well, maybe I can do something to earn a little,” replied Jack. “Where will I find the manager? What’s his name?” “His name is Jim Paine, and he’s a strict manager, let me tell you. But if you make good, why, he’s all right. Come on over and I’ll introduce you to him.” Jack followed the canvasman across the circus grounds, from which most of the audience had gone. Preparations were already under way for the evening performance. “Mr. Paine, here’s a lad who wants to join our circus,” remarked Landon, with a grin, as he presented Jack. “He did me a good turn this morning, and I’d like to help him if I could.” “Ha! Hum!” exclaimed the manager, looking at Jack sharply. The runaway noticed that Mr. Paine was a very pompous sort of person. He wore a red vest, with yellow spots on it, a big red tie, in which sparkled a large stone, and he had an immense watch chain. Jack wondered if the manager was not going to say anything more than “Ha! Hum!” But presently the big man made another remark. “What can you do?” he asked. “Well, not very much, perhaps,” replied Jack. “I’d like to learn to be a clown, but I’d be willing to knock around and do almost anything for a while, until I learned the business.” “Run away from home?” asked the manager snappily. “Yes,” replied Jack quickly, determined to tell as much as was necessary of what had happened.