But, just the same, Mappo ran over on the other side of the circus barn, and watched the lion from there.
The "King of Beasts," as he is called, though a lion is often no braver that any other animal, paced back and forth in his cage. He peered out between the bars, and tried to break them with his big paws. But he could not. Now and then the lion would utter a deep, loud roar, that seemed to shake the very ground. I suppose he roared as he had done in the jungle, when he wanted to let the other animals know he was coming. A lion must be very proud of his roar.
"Well, you can't get me, anyhow," thought Mappo. "You are safe in your cage, and I am glad of it."
"Well, how are you to-day, Tum Tum?" asked Mappo, of the jolly elephant.
"Tired. Very tired!" exclaimed Tum Tum.
"What makes you tired?" asked the monkey.
"Doing so many tricks," the elephant answered. "And you know I am a big, heavy chap, and it tires me to run fast around the ring. But never mind, we will soon be out of here, and on a journey."
"Where are we going?" asked Mappo.
"To travel from town to town, as all circuses do. We shall soon be living in tents," the elephant answered.
"I'll like that," said Mappo. "I am getting rather tired of staying here so long."