"Which way is north?"

"Get a compa.s.s, get a compa.s.s," was the discourteous answer.

"He's a grouch. Come along," urged Teddy Tucker.

A few moments later, attracted by a light that looked like a fire, the lads hurried toward it.

"Where will we find the cook tent?" questioned Phil again.

"Right here," was the surprising answer.

"What time will it be ready?"

"About seven o'clock. What's the matter, hungry?"

"More cold than hungry," replied Phil, his teeth chattering.

"Got to get used to that. Come here. I've got something that will doctor you up in no time," announced the man in a cheerful voice, so different from the answers the lads had received to their questions that morning, that they were suddenly imbued with new courage.

"What is it?" asked Phil.

"Coffee, my lad. We always make coffee the first thing when we get in, these chilly mornings. The men work much better after getting something warm inside them. Got a cup?"

They had not.

"Wait, I'll get you one," said the accommodating showman.

Never had anything tasted so good as did the coffee that morning.

It was excellent coffee, too, and the boys drank two cups apiece.

"We mustn't drink any more," warned Phil.

"Why not?" wondered Teddy.

"Because we shall be so nervous that we shall not be able to work today. And, by the way, were I in your place, I should get busy here and help in the cook tent until you are told to do something else. I think it will make a good impression on Mr. Sparling."

Teddy consented rather grudgingly.

"I'll turn in and do something at the same time. What can we do to help you, sir? That coffee was very good."

"Might get busy and unpack some dishes from those barrels. Be careful that you don't break any of them."

"All right. Where shall we put them?"

"Pile them on the ground, all the dishes of the same size together. Be sure to set a lantern by them so n.o.body falls over them in the dark."

The boys, glad of some task to perform, began their work with a will. With something to do it was surprising how quickly they forgot their misfortunes. In a short time they were laughing and joking with the good-natured cooktent man and making the dishes fairly fly out of the barrels.

"Guess I'll have to keep you two boys with my outfit," grinned the showman.

"I think Mr. Sparling said my friend, Teddy here, was to work in the cook tent for the present."

"All right, Mr. Teddy. There's one thing about working in the cook tent that ought to please you."

"What's that?"

"You can piece between meals all you want to. If you are like most boys, you ought to have a good healthy appet.i.te all the time, except when you are sleeping."

"That's right. I could eat an elephant steak now--right this minute. How long before breakfast?"

"Seven o'clock, I told you."

"What time does Mr. Sparling get up?" inquired Phil.

"Up? Ask me what time he goes to bed. I can answer one question as well as the other. n.o.body knows. He's always around when you least expect him. There he is now."

The owner was striding toward the cook tent for his morning cup of coffee.

"Good morning, sir," greeted the boys, pausing in their work long enough to touch their hats, after which they continued unpacking the dishes.

"Morning, boys. I see you are up early and getting right at it.

That's right. No showman was ever made out of a sleepy-head.

Where did you sleep last night?"

"In a wagon on a pile of canvas," answered Phil.

"And they threw us out of bed this morning," Teddy informed him, with a grimace.

Mr. Sparling laughed heartily.

"And we fell in a creek," added Teddy.

"Well, well, you certainly are having your share of experiences."

"Will you allow me to make a suggestion, Mr. Sparling?" asked Phil.

"Of course. You need not ask that question. What is it?"

"I think I ought to have some sort of a costume if I am to continue to ride Emperor in the grand entry."

"H-m-m-m. What kind do you think you want?"

"Could I wear tights?"

Mr. Sparling was about to laugh, but one glance into the earnest eyes of Phil Forrest told him that the boy's interest was wholly in wishing to improve the act--not for the sake of showing himself, alone.

"Yes, I think perhaps it might not be a bad idea. You go tell Mrs. Waite to fix you up with a suit. But I would prefer to have you wear your own clothes today."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."