A Slapper, consisting of two sticks with a block slipped between at one end. This will produce a great deal of laughter among the audience, for when the slapper is struck against a performer the ends of the sticks strike together, making a loud, cracking noise, and one would hardly believe that a stinging blow had not been dealt. The clown attempts the tricks of the other performers, but always fails or gets them very badly mixed.
A startling feat to be announced upon the programme will be
Looping the Hoop on a Giraffe.—This stunt is performed by the elephant, who is given a number of barrel-hoops, which he tosses by means of his trunk over the giraffe's outstretched neck. The elephant and giraffe should always be entered in a race, which will prove exciting, inasmuch as your specimens will be evenly matched.
The monkey may do almost anything and be amusing. Swinging upon a turning-pole, teasing the animals, boxing with the clown, and climbing a rope, are all his specialties. Then he should have
A Chariot within which to ride around the ring. This can be made out of a soap-box, as shown in [Fig. 286]. Cut down the sides, as in the illustration, attach two shafts to the bottom, and mount it upon a couple of small wagon wheels. When this has been done paint the wood a bright red, and cut stars of different sizes out of gilt paper and glue them all over the outside.
Fig. 286.—Jocko's Chariot.
The ring master acts as manager of the performance, and should use his whip unsparingly upon the animals, to force them into obedience.
If a boy can turn upon a [turning-pole], an apparatus such as is described in Chapter XVIII may be set up outside of the ring.