A large circle was marked out with hay on the wide floor , and in the middle stood Demi with a long whip , while Tommy , mounted on the much-enduring Toby , pranced about the circle playing being a monkey . `` You must pay a pin apiece , or you ca n't see the show , '' said Stuffy , who stood by the wheelbarrow in which sat the band , consisting of a pocket-comb blown upon by Ned , and a toy drum beaten spasmodically by Rob . `` He 's company , so I 'll pay for both , '' said Nat , handsomely , as he stuck two crooked pins in the dried mushroom which served as money-box . With a nod to the company they seated themselves on a couple of boards , and the performance went on . After the monkey act , Ned gave them a fine specimen of his agility by jumping over an old chair , and running up and down ladders , sailor fashion . Then Demi danced a jig with a gravity beautiful to behold . Nat was called upon to wrestle with Stuffy , and speedily laid that stout youth upon the ground . After this , Tommy proudly advanced to turn a somersault , an accomplishment which he had acquired by painful perseverance , practising in private till every joint of his little frame was black and blue . His feats were received with great applause , and he was about to retire , flushed with pride and a rush of blood to the head , when a scornful voice in the audience was heard to say , `` Ho ! that ai n't any thing ! '' `` Say that again , will you ? '' and Tommy bristled up like an angry turkey-cock . `` Do you want to fight ? '' said Dan , promptly descending from the barrel and doubling up his fists in a business-like manner . `` No , I do n't ; '' and the candid Thomas retired a step , rather taken aback by the proposition . `` Fighting is n't allowed ! '' cried the others , much excited . `` You 're a nice lot , '' sneered Dan . `` Come , if you do n't behave , you sha n't stay , '' said Nat , firing up at that insult to his friends . `` I 'd like to see him do better than I did , that 's all , '' observed Tommy , with a swagger .
`` Clear the way , then , '' and without the slightest preparation XXXXX turned three somersaults one after the other and came up on his feet .
Dan Ho Ned Rob Stuffy Toby Tommy ladders swagger wheelbarrow