“No,” Shaggo answered, “I don’t know any tricks.”
“And I don’t believe you are the kind of animal they would teach tricks to,” said the tiger. “Never mind, you are good to look at, and very odd, with your two humps. I shouldn’t be surprised but what they would advertise you, and put you in a book.”
“I know a little of what it means to be in a book,” said Shaggo. “I heard Tum Tum and Mappo speak of that. But what is ‘advertise’? That is a word I never heard before.”
“It means put your name and your picture on the billboards and on the posters that go up all over town when the circus is to show,” explained the tiger. “I’m on the pictures, and so is Nero and Tum Tum, and also Chunky, the happy hippo. He always has his picture taken with his mouth wide open.”
“What for?” asked Shaggo.
“Oh, it’s the biggest part of him; and I suppose he is rather proud of it,” answered Tamba. “It is my stripes that show best. You should see some of my latest pictures.”
“I hope I may,” said Shaggo, politely.
“And I hope I shall see yours,” went on Tamba. “Not all circus animals get their pictures on the posters, but I think you will. And now, if you will excuse me, I think I’ll go to sleep. We may have a long ride before our cages are taken off the train and put in the tents. Good-night.”
“Good-night,” answered Shaggo, and then he saw the tame tiger curl up and go to sleep. Shaggo also closed his eyes, but he did not sleep at once.