“Better look out,” said another man.  “Maybe he is an ugly chap, and will bite you.”

“Oh, indeed I won’t!” chattered Mappo.  “I guess I know better than that!” But of course the circus man did not understand this monkey talk.  Mappo jumped about in his cage, for he felt that he was going to be taken out, and he was tired of being shut up.  He wanted to hang by his tail, and do other things, as he had done in the jungle.

“He’s a lively little fellow, anyhow,” said the circus man, as he opened the door of Mappo’s cage.  “Come on out, old chap,” he went on, “and let’s see what you look like.”

Very gently he took Mappo out, and Mappo was very quiet.  He wanted to show the man how polite and nice even a jungle monkey could be, when he tried.

“You’re a nice fellow,” the man said, stroking Mappo’s back.  “Now let’s see.  I guess I’ll teach you first to ride a pony, or a dog, and then jump through paper hoops.  After that you can turn somersaults, and sit up at the table and eat like a real child.  Oh, I’ll teach you many tricks.”

Mappo did not understand very much of this talk.  No monkey could.  But Mappo did understand the word “eat,” and he wondered when the man was going to feed him, for Mappo was hungry.

All around the circus barn different animals were being taught tricks, for the men were training them to be ready for the summer circus in the big tents.  Horses were racing about sawdust rings, men were shouting and calling, and snapping long whips.  In one corner a man was trying to make an elephant stand on his hind legs.  Mappo looked a second time.

“Why, that’s Tum Tum!  He’s learning tricks too!” said Mappo, to himself.  “That’s fine!  I hope he and I can do tricks together.”

Tum Tum did not look very happy.  A long rope was fastened to him, and he was being pulled up so his head and trunk were in the air.  That’s how elephants are first taught to do the trick of standing on their hind legs.  After a bit they learn to do it without being hoisted up by a rope.

“Now then, monkey boy, here we are!” exclaimed the man who had taken Mappo out of his cage.  The man soon found that Mappo was good and gentle.  “Now for your first trick,” the man said.  “Here, Prince!”

A great big, shaggy dog, almost as large as Sharp-Tooth, the tiger, came bounding into the circus ring.  Right at Mappo rushed the dog, barking as loudly as he could: 

“Bow wow!  Bow wow!  Bow wow!”

CHAPTER VIII

MAPPO AND HIS TRICKS

Mappo, the merry monkey, gave one look at the big dog rushing at him, and then, with a chatter of fright, sprang right up on the shoulder of the circus man.  There Mappo sat, shivering, and looking down at the dog who kept on barking.

“Oh ho!  So you’re afraid, are you?” asked the man, as he put up his hand and patted Mappo.  “Well, you don’t need to be, little chap.  Prince wouldn’t hurt you a bit, would you, old chap?”