Why the old man didn't go by the regular line I can't think." "'Thrift, Horatio, thrift,'" responded his companion; "he'll save a lot of money by hiring this old tramp; and he won't care how we have to pig it, so long as the blessed animals are all right.

I had a look at her just now, and if ever there was a jumping, rolling, sea-sick old tub, she's one." "A nice prospect," grunted the first man; "and we're short-handed, too; catch the old man taking a single man more than he wants." Dene pricked up his ears.

Was the hand of Chance being extended already?
He waited for more, but the men ceased talking, and presently rose and walked out, with a gait which was as curious as everything else about them.

Obeying an impulse, Dene rose and followed them.

They joined the crowd going down towards the docks, and, keeping them in sight, he merged into a group of excited persons who were moving about in a scene which struck Dene with amazement.
On the quay, beside which a steamer was moored, towered a couple of huge elephants, surrounded by camels, horses, and mules, while on trollies stood cages of wild beasts, lions, tigers, jackals; one of the elephants was trumpeting, the camels were groaning, the carnivora roaring; mixed with their din were the voices of a motley crew, men and women, having the same appearance in dress and manner as that of the two men he had followed.