There he hung, his little round head just showing above the canvas, with a bewildered and at the same time discouraged look on his face.
Toby knew that it would be but a moment before the monkey would get his paws out from under the canvas, and thus extricate himself from his uncomfortable position. Running quickly inside the tent, he seized Mr. Stubbs's brother by his long tail, pulling him completely through, and the mischievous pet was again a prisoner.
It was a great disappointment to the boys on the outside when this portion of the circus was hidden from view; but it was equally as great a relief to the partners that the destruction of their tent was at last averted.
After the excitement had nearly subsided, and Toby was reading his pet a lesson on the sin of destructiveness, Reddy arrived with the materials for making his circus poster—a sheet of brown paper, a bottle of ink, and a brush made by chewing the end of a pine stick.
He began his work at once. It was a long task, but was at last accomplished, and when the partners went to their respective homes that night, the following placard adorned one side of the tent:
On arriving at the house, Toby secured Mr. Stubbs's brother so that he could not liberate himself, after which he ran into the house to inquire for Abner.
The news this time was more encouraging, for the sick boy had awakened thoroughly refreshed after his long sleep, and had asked how the work on the tent was getting on. Aunt Olive thought Toby could see him, and after promising that he would not remain very long, or allow Abner to talk much, he went upstairs.
The crippled boy was lying in the bed bolstered up with pillows, looking out of the window that commanded a view of the tent, and evidently puzzled to know whether the large sheet of brown paper which he saw on one side was there as an ornament, or to serve some useful purpose.
Toby explained to him that it was the poster Reddy had made, and then told him all that had been done that day toward getting ready for the great exhibition which was to dazzle the good people of Guilford, as well as to bring in a rich reward, in the way of money, to the managers.