""Tis my duty!"

"Are you always so particular in doing your duty?" "Always. At least-where little girls are concerned."

"Ah! I thought so," said Ethel with a triumphant smile. "I don't suppose you are so particular where yourself is concerned."

And then she followed the Whistles, as she was curious to know where they were going. She soon found herself standing opposite to a "Caravan," in the front of which was a large picture representing a forest with lions and tigers in it.

There were steps to go up, and a door at one side, over which was written "PAY HERE."

"If you have no money," thought Ethel,

to do then?"

"what are you

As if in answer to her thoughts a placard appeared, "STAY OUTSIDE."

"But that is just what I don't want to do," said Ethel. "I like wild beast shows. I have seen them at the sea-side."

While she was speaking some creature came through the door, and walked up and down in a restless kind of manner.

Ethel could not be sure if it was a man or a bird! He had a bird's head, with a large beak and bright black eyes, and

STAY OUTSIDE.

was dressed in a long brown ulster, with a cape to it-very comfortable looking altogether, but decidedly queer, Ethel thought. It was just like a bird Artie had had given to him last Christmas-but his was filled with sweets.

Whether this one was also filled with sweets did not

appear, but it began now to hop about, as though trying to walk like a man had been too fatiguing, "and," as Ethel said, "hopping was most natural to a bird."

It had a large brass trumpet in its hand, with a square flag attached to it-such as Ethel had seen the Royal "beefeaters " represented as as carrying. Through this trumpet it shouted-"Walk in, walk in, ladies and gentlemen, the show is just about to commence. Pay your pennies, and walk in."

himself one!"

CHAPTER V.

TEN LITTLE NIGGERS.

HERE are the ladies and gentlemen?" asked Ethel. "I have seen no lady in this country, but myself! and as to gentlemen-surely the Rod does not call

"Yes! he does, a real gentleman!" said the very well

known voice.

"Where is that Rod?" she exclaimed, half-laughing in spite of herself.

She turned to look, and was startled to find herself surrounded by hundreds of birds and animals, all in pairs, and free! She had wanted to go into a show well supplied with iron cages, but this was a very different affair.

"Oh, dear me!" she murmured,

"what wild country am

I in? This must be a regular wild beast forest, and if so, how shall I get away from these dreadful creatures?"

Ethel tried to scream, but her mouth would not open.

"I must feel now," she thought, "as people do when they have the nightmare. It is caused, I believe, through indigestion; but how can I have indigestion, when I have only biscuits and milk for my supper? Oh dear! I wish they would not stare at me-I am sure I shall faint if they come any nearer, although I never did so before in my life; and after all, it won't be any use doing so now, as there is no one here to help me. Indeed, I might be worse off than I am, for if I fainted the animals would eat me, perhaps, for their dinners, and I have no magic ring like Aladdin by which to summon genii to my aid. It is too bad of that fairy to leave me just when I wanted her most. I must scream! perhaps she will hear me and come--H-elp!"

The frightened cry was still echoing around when a gentle voice said

"Why, what is it? Don't be frightened, Ethel, I am here. Did you think I had forsaken you? Poor child, I have not