`` Catch me cuttin ' away if I had such a chance as that ! '' answered Sam , trying to balance his bat on his chin and getting a smart rap across the nose as he failed to perform the feat . `` Much you know about it , old chap . It 's hard work , I can tell you , and that would n't suit such a lazy-bones . Then you are too big to begin , though you might do for a fat boy if Smithers wanted one , '' said Ben , surveying the stout youth , with calm contempt . `` Let 's go in swimming , not loaf round here , if we ca n't play , '' proposed a red and shiny boy , panting for a game of leap-frog in Sandy pond . `` May as well ; do n't see much else to do , '' sighed Sam , rising like a young elephant . The others were about to follow , when a shrill `` Hi , hi , boys , hold on ! '' made them turn about to behold Billy Barton tearing down the street like a runaway colt , waving a long strip of paper as he ran . `` Now , then , what 's the matter ? '' demanded Ben , as the other came up grinning and puffing , but full of great news . `` Look here , read it ! I 'm going ; come along , the whole of you , '' panted Billy , putting the paper into Sam 's hand , and surveying the crowd with a face as beaming as a full moon . `` Look out for the big show , '' read Sam . `` Van Amburgh & Co. 's New Great Golden Menagerie , Circus and Colosseum , will exhibit at Berryville , July 4th , at 1 and 7 precisely . Admission 50 cents , children half-price . Do n't forget day and date . H. Frost , Manager . '' 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 XXXXX '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 .
Circus Colosseum May elephant face matter others rap show swimming