Then men came up with hoses to squirt water on the fire, while other men drove the animals to another barn where they could stay for a while.
“All the animals saved!” cried the head circus man when the fire was out. “That’s fine! I wonder how they got out of the barn.”
“Oh, Dido and Tum Tum let them out,” said one of the trainers. “I saw the elephant and bear break down the door.”
Then the circus folk, as well as the animals, loved Dido and Tum Tum more than ever. Soon the burned barn was built over new, and it was better than before. Dido stayed in it all winter and when spring came again he and Tum Tum started out with the circus show again.
I wish I had space to tell you other adventures of Dido, the dancing bear, but this book is quite filled, as you may see. And Dido did finally get into a book, didn’t he? I hope he likes what I have written about him, if he ever sees it.
But if I can not tell you any more about Dido I can about Blackie, the cat who hid in the bear’s cage. So the next book will be named “Blackie, a Lost Cat: Her Many Adventures.” And I hope you will like what I have to write about her.
“Tum Tum,” said Dido one day as he was dancing on the platform on the elephant’s back, “do you remember the fire?”
“I should say I did,” answered Tum Tum. “I never want to see another.”
“Nor do I,” spoke Dido, as he whirled about while his circus master tooted a gay tune on the brass horn.
Then Dido turned somersaults in the circus ring, jumped through the lighted hoop and did many other tricks.