two boys went for a row on the lake, in Bert's boat. Some little
friends of Flossie and Freddie came over, and they had fun watching
Snap do tricks.

For the circus dog, as he had come to be called, seemed to be able
to do some new trick each day. He could "play dead," and "say his
prayers," besides turning a back somersault. The little twins,
who seemed to claim more share in Snap than did Nan and Bert, did
not really know how many tricks their pet could do.

"Maybe you'll have to give him back to the circus," said Willie
Flood, one of Freddie's chums.

"Well, if we do, papa may buy him, or get another dog like him,"
spoke Flossie.

A few days after this, when Bert was out in the front yard,
watering the grass with a hose, along came Danny Rugg. Now Danny
went to the same school that Bert did, but few of the boys and none
of the girls, liked Danny, because he was often rough, and would
hit them or want to fight, or would play mean tricks on them. Still,
sometimes Danny behaved himself, and then the boys were glad to
have him on their baseball nine as he was a good hitter and thrower,
and he could run fast.

"Hello, Bert!" exclaimed Danny, leaning on the fence. "I hear you
have a trick circus dog here."

"Who told you?" asked Bert, wondering what Danny would say next.