"Ladies and gentlemen," he shouted, standing at the rail and bowing, flourishing his arm as though he were snapping the long whip lash he took into the ring with him, "this little exciting episode--this epicurean taste of the thrills to follow in the big tent--although of an impromptu nature, merely goes to show the versatility of Twomley and Sorber's Herculean Circus and Menagerie, and our ability, when the unexpected happens, to grapple with circumstances and throw them, sir--throw them! That is what we did in this present thrilling happening. The fire is out. Every spark is smothered. The Fire Demon no longer seeks to devour its prey. Ahem! Another and a more quenching element has driven the Fire Demon back to its last spark and cinder--and then quenched the spark and cinder! Now, ladies and gentlemen, having viewed this entirely impromptu and nevertheless exciting manifestation of Fire and Water, we hope that your attention will be recalled to the glories of the Twomley and Sorber Herculean Circus and Menagerie. The big show will begin in exactly twenty-two minutes, ladies and gentlemen. At that time I shall be happy to see you all in your places in our comfortable seats as I enter the ring for the grand entrance. I thank you, one and all!" He bowed gracefully and retired a step just as Cap'n Bill Quigg kicked off the forward hatch-cover to let the smoke out of the hold. He let out something else--and so surprised was the canalboatman, that he actually sprang back. Two childish voices were shouting as loud as possible: "Let us out! Oh, let--us--o-o-out!" "Come on, Dot!" Sammy Pinkney cried, seeing the opening above their heads. "We can get out now." "And we'll get right off this horrid boat, Sammy," declared Dot. "I don't ever mean to go off and be pirates with you again--never. Me and my Alice-doll don't like it at all." [Illustration: "There was a rush for the open hatchway and a chorus of excited voices"] There was a rush for the open hatchway and a chorus of excited voices. "Oh, Dot, Dot! Are you there, dear?" cried Ruth. "You little plague, Sammy Pinkney!" gasped Agnes. "I've a mind to box your ears for you!" "Easy, easy," advised Neale, who was dripping wet from his waist down. "Let us see if they are whole and hearty before we turn on the punishment works. Give us your hands, Dottie." He lifted the little girl, still hugging her Alice-doll, out of the hold and kissed her himself before he put her into Ruth's arms. "Come on up, now, Sammy, and take your medicine," Neale urged, stooping over the hatchway. "Huh! Don't you kiss _me_, Neale O'Neil," growled Sammy, trying to bring the potatoes and the basket of fruit both up the ladder with him. "I'll get slobbered over enough when I get home--first." "And what second?" asked Luke, vastly amused as well as relieved.