"Yes," said Mlle. Louise, complacently, "I think I have a pretty good act. I get plenty of applause, eh, Mr. Henderson?" "That's true. I think I should leave the circus if I had to appear in your act. I never could summon up courage." The lady laughed. "Monsieur Achilles," she said, "I wouldn't advise you to emulate me. I don't believe you could find a rope strong enough to support you, and if you should fall, I pity the audience." "You have convinced me. I shall give up all thoughts of it," said the giant, with mock gravity. "It would suit better our young friend here, who is an acrobat." "Did you ever practice on a trapeze?" asked Mlle. Louise, turning to Kit. "Yes, often," answered Kit, "but never at a great height." "Would it frighten you to find yourself so high up in the air?" "I don't think so; I have a cool head." "You must practice. I will give you a few hints myself. If you are cool and courageous, as I judge you will soon learn. By the way, what is your name?" "Kit Watson." "It'll be something else when you begin work." "Do all performers have assumed names?" "Generally. Here I am Mademoiselle Louise Lefroy, but it isn't a bit like my real name." Before this the boys had been served with breakfast. The steak was rather tough, and the coffee not of the best quality, but Kit and William thoroughly enjoyed it, and thought it about the best breakfast they had ever eaten. Mlle. Louise continued to converse with them, and was very gracious. "Are you too an acrobat?" she asked William. William became so confused that he swallowed some coffee the wrong way, and came near choking. "No, ma'am," he answered bashfully, "but I'd like to go round with the show." "You'll be better off at home if you've got one," said the giant. "You are not a performer; you are too small for a property man, and not strong enough for a razorback." "What's a razorback?" asked William, in amazement. Achilles smiled. "It's a boy or man who helps load and unload the circus cars," he answered. "It is heavy work, and you would be thrown among a low lot of people--canvasmen, and such. Our young friend here, on the other hand, will have a good sleeping berth, eat at the first table, and be well provided for generally." William looked disappointed. He had never thought particularly about traveling with a circus till now, but his meeting with Kit had given him a circus fever. At ten o'clock Mr. Barlow came to the grounds, and Achilles volunteered to go with Kit to speak with him about his engagement. CHAPTER XIV. SOME CIRCUS PEOPLE. Mr. Barlow recognized Kit instantly. "So you have kept your promise, my young friend," he said. "Well, have you come to join us?" "Yes, sir, if your offer holds good." "My offers always hold good; I never go back on my word." Kit was glad to hear this, for he would have been placed in an embarrassing position if, like some men, Mr. Barlow had forgotten an offer made on the impulse of the moment.