"Well, I guess it's about time we started for home," said Harry, after a bit, as he noticed the sun, like a ball of fire, sinking to rest in the western sky. "I'll have to go after the cows soon." "I'll go with you," offered Bert, as the boys came out of the water, and began to dress. They were almost ready to start back home when Bert noticed a boy walking along the path that extended on one side of the river. At first Bert did not pay much attention to the boy, after giving him one glance, but as the strange lad came nearer Bert looked at him more closely. "I wonder where I've seen that boy before?" he said aloud. "What boy?" "Over there," replied Bert, pointing. Harry gave one look, and exclaimed: "Why, don't you remember? That's the boy who found Freddie when he was lost at the circus!" "Oh, so it is!" exclaimed Bert. "But what is he doing here? Why isn't he with the show?" "I don't know," answered Harry, who was trying to untangle a hard knot in his shoe lace. "Better ask him." "I will, if he comes near enough," decided Bert, as he finished dressing. Then he "ruffled" up his hair, so it would dry more quickly. By this time they had on their clothes, and the other boy had noticed the lads who had just finished swimming. He gave them one look, and then turned hurriedly away, as if he did not want them to see him. "Hold on wait a minute--Frank!" called Bert. The boy stopped as he heard his name mentioned. "Who wants me?" he asked. "I do--Bert Bobbsey," was the answer. "You know me. You found my little brother Freddie, when he was lost at the circus. Don't you remember?" "Oh--yes," was the answer. The boy walked slowly forward, and as he came nearer Bert could see that he looked tired and hungry. "What's the matter?" Harry asked. "Why aren't you with the circus any more? Did you lose your place?" "Well, no, not exactly," replied Frank, "but the side show I worked for busted up--I mean it failed, and I was out of a place. There was nothing else for me to do in the circus, so I had to leave it. I haven't any work now, and I don't know what to do." "That's too bad," said Bert kindly. "What are you going to do?" "I don't know," and Frank's voice was sad. "Are you going back to the lumber office?" asked Harry, for he had heard his cousin tell how Frank had run away from his guardian, Mr. Mason, who punished the boy for taking in a Confederate twenty dollar bill, that was worthless. "No, I'll never go back there!" exclaimed Frank, with flashing eyes. "Mr. Mason was looking for you, the day after the circus showed in Rosedale," said Bert. "Did he see you?"