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That you, youngster? Timms asked cheerily. Pon my word I hardly expected you. Some fellows back out of a job like this at the last moment. But come along and Ill show you where you will sleep, and who will be your mate. Hes a good fellow, and will show you the ropes.
Passing outside the building, Timms led the way to a large yard at the back in which was an assortment of the caravans which usually accompany a circus.
Jim! he shouted. Here, Jim, your new mates arrived. Show him round.
A jovial and dirty face, with a two-days growth of beard upon it, was thrust out of a wagon, and a voice called out: Come right in here, mate. Glad to see yer. Bring your togs along.
Phil scrambled up the steep steps and into the wagon, where, having grasped the hand extended to him, he looked round with some curiosity, noticing with much interest the two neat little bunks, one above the other, at the farther end, the diminutive table close to one red-curtained window, and the stove on the other side, filled with paper shavings of all colours, and gold tinsel, with its chimney of brightly-polished brass.
Queer little house, mate, aint it? sang out the man who went by the name of Jim, busying himself with a pot of hot water and a shaving-brush and soap.
Yes, Ive never been in a van of this sort before, said Phil. It looks comfortable, and at any rate must be a good shelter on wet nights.
That it is, mate, and youll find it so precious soon. We start at daylight to-morrow on a long trip to the south, and I tell yer its mighty pleasant to know as theres a warm fire, and a dry bed to get into, when the waters coming down in buckets, and the winds that cold it freezes yer to the marrer.
Phil noted every little article in the van, and listened to the scrape, scrape of the razor as Jim removed his bristles. When this operation was completed, Jim took him round the horses, and having initiated him into the mysterious duties of a stableman, invited him back to the wagon to tea.
Timms and I sleep here, he remarked, with his pipe firmly clenched between his teeth, and youll put your rugs down on the floor. Well mess together, and youll find that five bob a week joined to our two fives will feed us well and leave the rest in our pockets. The other chaps has their own messes. Ill take yer round to see them soon. Theyre a queer lot; some has been sailors and soldiers, and some anything at all. Others has been at this game all their lives. Youll learn to know them all in a few days, and Ill give yer a hint keep clear of the rowdy ones. They soon gets the sack, for the boss is very particular, and wont have no drinking and such like goings-on.
Now about your job. What do you know of animals, and what class are yer on top of a horse what aint xactly a camel?
I am sorry to say I am hopelessly ignorant of the first, Phil answered. Ive ridden horses often, and can manage to keep in my saddle as a rule, but cannot boast that I am a good horseman.
Oh, youll do! besides, I can see youre willing to learn and has got the grit to stick to things that might bother others of your sort. Youre to be my mate, and for a time, at any rate, we shall be on the move. The gent who runs this business keeps five and six such vans as this moving most of the year, besides the cages, of course, which follow.
You see, agents in furrin parts collects lions and every sort of animal down to snakes, and sends them to England. No sooner does the ship come alongside the river dock than some of us are there with cages, mounted on wheels and drawn by horses. We unload the animals, slip em into the cage, and bring them here. A day or two later, perhaps a week, or even as long after as a month, someone wants one or other of them beasts, and arranges to buy him from the guvnor. Then in he goes into the travelling-cage again, and off we take him to wherever hes been ordered. Of course theres railroads nowadays; but they are risky things at any time, and the wild beasts we deal in catch cold, and fall sick so easy that its been found cheaper and safer to take em by road. And a very pleasant life it is, to be sure. With two of us on the beat, and drawing our own house, were as comfortable as chaps could wish for. Every day theres something different to look at and ask questions about, and every evening, when yer pull up on some wayside piece of ground and start to water and feed the animals, theres new scenery and new people around yer, the last always ready to be civil and polite. Yes, its a free, easy life, with plenty of change and movement to make yer work come pleasant and light. Youll like it, lad. By the way whats yer name? Ah, Philip Western! Well, Phil, Ive told yer pretty nigh all I can think about. Timms and me start early to-morrow, as I told yer, so turn in soon to-night. Well teach yer all yer want to know while on the road, and if yer only keeps yer eyes open youll soon get a hold on the work. Jim nodded pleasantly, and having invited Phil to sit down for a short time and rest himself, he ran down the steps of the van and went to complete his daily work.
Of course all this is very different from office life, mused Phil, looking round, and still finding many little things in the quaint travelling house to interest and amuse him, I can see that any kind of work is expected of me, and I must not be afraid of dirtying my hands. A few months at this will show me whether or not I shall like the army, for I remember the sergeant-major told me that there too the men have numerous fatigues to do, cleaning barracks and quarters, carrying coal, and a hundred-and-one other things. Yes, Ive come to rough it, and Ill do my utmost to prove useful. It seems, too, that this travelling with wild beasts is very much liked by the other men. It will be funny to be constantly on the move, and constantly seeing fresh places. Well, I think I shall like it. It will be what I have hankered after an open-air life, and since Jim is to be my companion I feel sure I shall be happy, for he looks an excellent fellow.
Indeed, though outwardly rough, Jim was a sterling good fellow, with a kind heart beating beneath his weather-stained jacket. Already he had taken a liking to Phil, and seeing that he was altogether different from the new hands usually employed, and moreover having heard something of his story from Timms, he determined to look after his charge and make life as pleasant for him as possible.
That evening the three who were to be companions supped at a little coffee-stall standing close outside the menagerie, and, having returned to the van, indulged in a chat before turning-in. Then Jim and the old soldier Timms climbed into their bunks, while Phil spread his blankets on the floor, and with his kit-bag beneath his head soon fell asleep, to be wakened, however, every now and again by the roaring of a big African lion, which had arrived two days before, and was caged close at hand.
Day had scarcely dawned when Jim turned over in his bunk, yawned loudly, and, sitting up with a start, consulted a silver watch, of the proportions of a turnip, which dangled from the arched roof of the van. Five oclock, and not a soul stirring! he cried. Up, up yer get, all of yer. Look lively now, or else well be moving before weve had a morning meal.
What! Time for breakfast! Hullo, where am I? cried Phil, sitting up with a start and staring round in bewilderment. Then the truth dawned upon him, and, throwing off his blankets, he rose to his feet.
What orders, Jim? he asked.
Come along with me, Phil. Thats the orders. Timmsll see to the breakfast, while you and me looks to the horses.