Next day everybody pitched into genuine hard work.  The circus train had been sent for, and occupied a long railroad siding.

Andy was amazed at the system and order of the proposed transit.  The train was on a big scale.  The manager had a car to himself.  The star performers were cared for in luxurious parlor coaches.  Even the minor employees were well-housed, and feeding arrangements for man and beast were perfect.

In order to reach their destination, which was Montgomery, a central southern city, the train made many shifts from one railway line to another.  This took time, and necessitated many unpleasant stoppages and waits.

It was the second day of the trip when they were side-tracked at a little way station.  Here it was given out they would remain from noon until midnight, awaiting a fruit express which would pick them up and deliver them at terminus.

Billy Blow, his Boy Midget, and Andy had a compartment in a tourists’ car.  When the long stop was announced, Andy was glad to get a chance to stretch his limbs.

He interested himself for more than an hour watching the menagerie men attend to the animals.  They were fed and watered, their quarters neatly renovated, while a veterinarian went from cage to cage examining them professionally and treating those that were sick or ailing.

Big Bob, the star bear of the show, had in some way run a great sliver into one paw.  This had festered the flesh, and bruin, bound with stout ropes, had been brought out of his cage on a wheeled litter, and laid on the grass for careful treatment.

Andy watched the skilful doctoring of the big, bellowing fellow with curiosity.  Then he strolled off into a stretch of timber to enjoy a brief walk.

He reached a deliciously cool and shady nook, and threw himself down at the mossy trunk of a tree to rest in the midst of fresh air, peaceful solitude and merrily singing birds.

Andy was lost in a soothing day dream when a great rustle made him sit up, startled.

A dark object passed close by him in and out among the bushes.  It was of great size, and was making its way fast and furiously.

“I declare!” cried Andy, springing to his feet, “if it isn’t the bear.  Now how in the world did he get loose?”

Andy stood for a moment staring in wonder after the disappearing animal.  It was certainly Big Bob.  The animal was fully familiar to Andy.  The beast wobbled to one side as it ran, and this the boy discerned was due to the sore paw.  He was a fugitive, and his escape had been discovered.  Andy could surmise this from shouts and calls in the distance, back in the direction of the circus train.

Big Bob had a bad reputation with the menagerie men.  At times placid and even good-natured, on other occasions he was capricious, savage and dangerous.  Even his trainer had narrowly escaped a death blow from one of the animal’s enormous paws when the brute was in one of its tantrums.