The space being now clear, Cæsar slipped down from Nalla's neck, and bidding the sagacious monster stand in front of the strange van in readiness to check any action on the part of its proprietor, he took hold of Steady's bridle, and proceeded to put his van into its former position amidst the approving laughter of the crowd.
Almost beside himself with rage the owner of the other van rushed at Cæsar with fists clenched intending to pummel him. But before he could reach him Nalla's long supple trunk swept his legs from under him, and sent him headlong, whilst the spectators roared with delight at his ignominious downfall.
Like all bullies he was in reality a coward, and, it being very plain that everything was against him, he submitted to defeat with a very bad grace to be sure, but without any further attempt at reprisals. Procuring his own horses he hitched them to the van, and drew it away to another part of the town, vowing vengeance against the youngsters who had thus dared to expose and discomfit him.
Nadine felt worried over the affair, but Cæsar made light of it.
"We'll see no more of that rascal," he said, confidently. "He knows he's killed himself in this place by his mean trick, and instead of doing us harm he has really done us good, for he has got the people interested in us, and they will be all the more likely to come to the performance."
Cæsar was right enough in this. As was the case when the mischievous students stampeded Nalla, an apparent misfortune turned out a benefit. The episode with the man of the black beard, and the brave way in which the young people had borne themselves, as also the wonderful intelligence shown by Nalla, proved an admirable advertisement, and their first performance was anticipated with much interest.
Relying upon a larger patronage than they were wont to have at their ordinary stopping-places, they thought it wise to hire half a hundred chairs, for which they would charge ten sous each, five sous being asked for a seat upon the planks, and standing room being free.
Before the hour announced for opening the people had already begun to gather, and by seven o'clock every seat was occupied, and a goodly number were standing behind them. They were all in the best of humor, and prepared to enjoy themselves by heartily appreciating what the Tamby family had provided for them.
This good fortune attended them throughout the whole week of the fair. Nadine's sweet singing, Cæsar's clever juggling, the amusing antics of Vigilant, and the remarkable intelligence displayed by Nalla and Steady maintained their interest for the populace to the end, and when on Saturday night, tired out but happy, they counted up their profits after the payment of all expenses, they found that they had no less than five hundred francs to the good.
"Why, that is a small fortune, isn't it, Nadine?" exclaimed Cæsar joyously. "That will help us over the winter finely, and we will doubtless make more before the season ends, eh?"