"There! Thank you very much." "Say, what town is this, anyway ?" asked Ricks.
"Clayton," said the boy, trying to keep his horse from backing.
"Looks like somethin' was doin'," said Ricks.
"Circus, I believe." "Then I don't blame your nag for wantin' to go back!" cried Sandy.
"Come on, Ricks; let's take in the show!" Half-way down the hill he turned.

"Haven't we seen that fellow before, Ricks ?" "Not as I knows of.

He looked kinder pale and shaky, but you bet yer life he knowed how to hit the bottle." "He was sick," urged Sandy.
"An' thirsty," added Ricks, with a smile of superior wisdom.
The circus seemed such a timely opportunity to do business that they decided to rent a stand that night and sell their wares on the street corner.

Ricks went on into town to arrange matters, while Sandy stopped in a grocery to buy their supper.

His interest in the show had been of short duration.