“I’m hungry,” said a man back of Jerry to the two boys with him.  “We’d better get home.  Mother will be waiting breakfast for us.”  They left the circus grounds reluctantly, the two boys stopping every now and then to look back.

That inviting odor of frying bacon and eggs was a clarion call to breakfast to scores of the onlookers, and the crowd fairly melted away until not more than a dozen boys were left, among whom Jerry saw Darn Darner.

“I’m awful hungry,” said Chris, after they had wandered around half an hour longer.  “Let’s go home.  I guess we’ve seen about all there is to see.”

Jerry protested.  “Let’s wait a while longer an’ mebbe they’ll bring the el’funts out.”

“Mebbe they will,” said Chris and seemed straightway to forget all about his hunger.  They went about the tents again and once caught sight of the elephants and camels in the second largest tent, as one of the canvasmen came out and held back the flaps.  He was followed by another man with a thick, black beard, who wore something that flashed in his shirt front.

“Gee, look at the size of that diamond!” exclaimed Darn Darner’s voice back of Jerry.

The man looked sharply about.  Jerry thought he seemed very much surprised and was afraid he might be angry because he and Chris were so close to the tent.  He started to go away, but upon hearing the man speak he stood rooted to the spot.

“What in the world has become of all the small boys?” the black-bearded man had asked the other.  “There were hundreds about a few minutes ago.  Don’t they know they can get to see the circus if they want to carry water for the elephants?”

“I guess the boys in this town never saw a circus before, Mr. Burrows,” replied the canvasman.

“Here, you,” Mr. Burrows called to Darn.  “Want to earn a ticket to the circus?”

“No,” said Darn loftily.  “I’ve got a reserved box seat.”  He turned and walked off.

“What did I tell you, Sam?” laughed Mr. Burrows.  “There’s money in this jay town and we’re going to get a bunch of it.”

Jerry stepped hastily forward, a light of joy dancing in his eyes, with Chris treading on his heels.  “Please, mister,” said Jerry eagerly, “we’ll carry water for the elephants.”

“We want to see the circus,” added Chris.

“You’re too little to carry water,” said Sam.  “Where’re all the bigger kids?”

“They’ve gone home to breakfast,” replied Chris.  “Please, mister, we can carry water.  I’m big enough.”

“Yes, I guess you’re big enough,” said the man with the diamond in his shirt, “but the elephants are awful thirsty and it will take you a long time.  Sam, you see if you can find some other boys to help you.”

Sam departed instantly.

“Where’ll we get the water?” asked Chris.

“From that house across the road.  You’ll have to pump it.  Your brother there had better go home; he’s too little to carry water.”