Ben sat thoughtfully for some time, and then, making all the preparations which Toby knew so well signified a long bit of advice, he said, "Toby, my boy, I've been with a circus, man an' boy, nigh to forty years, an' I've seen lots of youngsters start in just as you're goin' to start in to-morrow; but the most of them petered out, because they got to knowin' more'n them that learned 'em did. Now, you remember what I say, an' you'll find it good advice: whatever business you get into, don't think you know all about it before you've begun. Remember that you can always learn somethin', no matter how old you are, an' keep your eyes an' ears open, an' your tongue between your teeth, an' you'll amount to somethin', or my name hain't Ben." CHAPTER XVI. TOBY'S FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE RING. When the circus entered the town which had been selected as the place where Toby was to make his _début_ as a circus rider the boy noticed a new poster among the many glaring and gaudy bills which set forth the varied and numerous attractions that were to be found under one canvas for a trifling admission fee, and he noticed it with some degree of interest, not thinking for a moment that it had any reference to him. It was printed very much as follows: MADEMOISELLE JEANNETTE AND MONSIEUR AJAX, two of the youngest equestrians in the world, will perform their graceful, dashing, and daring act entitled THE TRIUMPH OF THE INNOCENTS! This is the first appearance of these daring young riders together since their separation in Europe last season, and their performance in this town will have a new and novel interest. See MADEMOISELLE JEANNETTE AND MONSIEUR AJAX. "Look there!" said Toby to Ben, as he pointed out the poster, which was printed in very large letters, with gorgeous coloring, and surmounted by a picture of two very small people performing all kinds of impossible feats on horseback. "They've got some one else to ride with Ella to-day. I wonder who it can be?" Ben looked at Toby for a moment, as if to assure himself that the boy was in earnest in asking the question, and then he relapsed into the worst fit of silent laughing that Toby had ever seen. After he had quite recovered he asked, "Don't you know who Monsieur Ajax is? Hain't you never seen him?" "No," replied Toby, at a loss to understand what there was so very funny in his very natural question. "I thought that I was goin' to ride with Ella." "Why, that's you!" almost screamed Ben, in delight. "Monsieur Ajax means you--didn't you know it? You don't suppose they would go to put 'Toby Tyler' on the bills, do you? How it would look!--'Mademoiselle Jeannette an' Monsieur Toby Tyler!'"