While Sam read , the other boys had been gloating over the enticing pictures which covered the bill . There was the golden car , filled with noble beings in helmets , all playing on immense trumpets ; the twenty-four prancing steeds with manes , tails , and feathered heads tossing in the breeze ; the clowns , the tumblers , the strong men , and the riders flying about in the air as if the laws of gravitation no longer existed . But , best of all , was the grand conglomeration of animals where the giraffe appears to stand on the elephant 's back , the zebra to be jumping over the seal , the hippopotamus to be lunching off a couple of crocodiles , and lions and tigers to be raining down in all directions with their mouths , wide open and their tails as stiff as that of the famous Northumberland House lion . `` Cricky ! would n't I like to see that , '' said little Cyrus Fay , devoutly hoping that the cage , in which this pleasing spectacle took place , was a very strong one . `` You never would , it 's only a picture ! That , now , is something like , '' and Ben , who had pricked up his ears at the word `` circus , '' laid his finger on a smaller cut of a man hanging by the back of his neck with a child in each hand , two men suspended from his feet , and the third swinging forward to alight on his head . `` I 'm going , '' said Sam , with calm decision , for this superb array of unknown pleasures fired his soul and made him forget his weight . `` How will you fix it ? '' asked Ben , fingering the bill with a nervous thrill all through his wiry limbs , just as he used to feel it when his father caught him up to dash into the ring . `` Foot it with Billy . It 's only four miles , and we 've got lots of time , so we can take it easy . Mother wo n't care , if I send word by Cy , '' answered Sam , producing half a dollar , as if such magnificent sums were no strangers to his pocket . `` Come on , Brown ; you 'll be a first-rate fellow to show us round , as you know all the dodges , '' said Billy , anxious to get his money 's worth . `` Well , I do n't know , '' began Ben , longing to go , but afraid Mrs. Moss would say `` No ! '' if he asked leave . `` He 's afraid , '' sneered the red-faced boy , who felt bitterly toward all mankind at that instant , because he knew there was no hope of his going . `` Say that again , and I 'll knock your head off , '' and Ben faced round with a gesture which caused the other to skip out of reach precipitately . `` Has n't got any money , more likely , '' observed a shabby youth , whose pockets never had any thing in them but a pair of dirty hands . Ben calmly produced a dollar bill and waved it defiantly before this doubter , observing with dignity : `` I 've got money enough to treat the whole crowd , if I choose to , which I do n't . ''
`` Then come along and have a jolly time with XXXXX and me .
Cricky House Moss Sam conglomeration crocodiles doubter steeds third tumblers