human
Teddy, if you will read the words on the side of that boat nearest to us, you will understand, I think.
gpt
T-h-e,
human
The,
gpt
S-p-a-r-l-i-n-g, Sparling. C-o-m-b-i-n-e-d Shows. Well, what do you think of _that?_
human
I hardly know what to think, yet, answered Phil Forrest.
gpt
The Sparling Combined Shows. Do you mean to say--?
human
I haven't said a word, answered Mr. Sparling, with a merry twinkle in his eyes.
gpt
I am waiting for you to say something.
human
I--I am afraid I am too much astonished to say much. Do you mean we are going to take to the river?
gpt
Exactly.
human
With the show?
gpt
Yes.
human
Hooray!
gpt
What's that?
human
Didn't you hear?
gpt
I heard, but I don't understand. What's it all about? What is it about those yellow boats over there?
human
The Sparling Circus is going down the Mississippi,
gpt
On those things?
human
On those boats.
gpt
Then I think I'll walk. You don't catch me riding on any boat that has to have a wheel on behind to help push it along. No, siree, not for mine!
human
But, Teddy, they are fine boats,
gpt
They are among the few typical Mississippi River steamers, broke in Mr. Sparling.
human
I got them far up the river last winter. When I first conceived the plan of sending my show down the river, on the river itself, I took a trip out here to look over the ground--
gpt
You mean the water,
human
A little of both, my boy. I found that no show since the early days of the barnstorming outfits had ever attempted the feat. I learned a number of things that made me all the more anxious to try it. The next question was a boat. I heard of some of the old broad-beamed river craft that were out of commission up stream. I found them exactly suited to our requirements, and I rented them for the season. It cost quite a sum to have them fixed up, but you will find them just the thing for our work. What do you think of the idea?
gpt
Great! breathed Phil.
human
It fairly takes my breath away.
gpt
When--when do we move in?
human
We begin moving in this morning. I have given the orders to have the property removed from the trains and brought here, now--that is, all that will not be needed for today's performances. Tonight all hands will sleep on the boats. How will you like that, boys?
gpt
Fine!
human
I'll tell you after I try it,
gpt
The Sparling Combined Shows. Below this lettering appeared the names of the boats. The
human
River Queen
gpt
I guess we shall have to call her the 'Yellow Peril,' laughed Phil.
human
Don't you think that would be an appropriate name?
gpt
Queen was named the
human
Mary Jane. Teddy promptly renamed her the
gpt
Fat Marie,
human
Nemah was the third boat of the fleet, a much smaller craft than either of the others. The owner intended to use the
gpt
Nemah