"Hullo, I knew you were a Jonah!" sang out Tom. And once more the crowd roared.
"In the whale I met my old schoolmate, Billy Black," continued the clown.
"That was a black moment for poor Billy," was Sam's comment.
"Did you give Billy a whaling?" asked Tom.
"Did dat whale git a stummick ache from swallerin' yo'?" came loudly from Aleck. "I t'ink any whale would, 'less his insides was copper-lined."
Aleck said this so gravely that it brought forth a roar which did not subside for a full minute. Poor Frozzler could do nothing, and to save himself made half a dozen tumbles. Then he started to run from the ring, but tripped over one of the ropes and pitched headlong on his nose.
"Hullo, there a tumble extra!" sang out Tom. "Thank you; nothing like giving us good measure!"
"I'd like to wax that boy good!" growled Giles Frozzler, as he shot into the dressing tent. "Those youngsters spoiled my act completely." And then he hurried to a pail of water to bathe his nose.
The next act was fairly good and put the crowd in good humor once more. But that to follow was so bad that many began to hiss. Then came a race which was as tame as it could possibly be, and many began to leave.
"This is the worst circus yet," said one man. "If anybody comes to-night he'll be sold."