"Didn't," responded Luke frankly—"except for the dancing. I've done that with crows and goats, many a time. See here," and he picked up the chicken and extended its feet.
"Why," cried Andy, "it was born with its claws turned backwards!"
"That's it," nodded Luke. "See? A regular freak of nature. Odd enough to put among the curiosities?"
"It certainly is," voted Andy. "The circus wouldn't use it, though—just a side show."
"I don't care," said Luke, "as long as I get started in with the show.
Can you help me?"
"I'll try to," declared Andy. "Wait here. I want to find Billy Blow and tell him about this."
Andy went about the circus grounds until he discovered the clown. Billy was quite taken with the chicken, and finally decided to try and place the boy with his freak.
He and Luke went away together. When he came back the clown was alone. He told Andy that one of the side shows had agreed to try Luke and his wonderful chicken for at least a week for the food and keep of both.
Andy went on with the jockey riders in the evening performance. The last performance at Clifton was the next forenoon. He had only a glimpse of Marco and others of his acquaintance meantime, with everything on a rush.
"You see, Tipton is a regular vacation for us folks," Billy Blow explained to him. "Country around isn't populous enough for more than one day's performances, and then only when the county fair is on. We rest two days, and play Saturday. Then is your chance. There's a good deal of shifting and taking on new hands. We'll watch out for you. You'll see some fun, too. All the new aspirants have been told to show up at Tipton."