Five Go Off in a Caravan Read Online Free PDF Page B

lake-side, eager to plunge into its blue coolness.

    It was very warm at the edge of the water, but further in, where it was deep, the lake was deliciously cold. All the children could swim strongly, and they splashed and yelled in delight.
    The bottom of the lake was sandy, so the water was as clear as crystal.

    When they were tired they all came out and lay on the warm sandy bank of the lake. They dried at once in the sun. Then as soon as they felt too hot in they went again, squealing with joy at the cold water.

    'What gorgeous fun to come down here every day and bathe!' said Dick. 'Get away, Timmy, when I'm swimming on my back. Timmy's enjoying the bathe as much as we are, George.'

    'Yes, and old Trotter wants to come in, too,' shouted Julian. 'Look at him — he's brought the red caravan right down to the edge of the lake. He'll be in the water with it if we don't stop him!'

    They decided to have a picnic by the lake, and to set the horses free to have a bathe if they wanted one. But all they wanted was to drink and to stand knee-high in the water, swishing their tails to keep away the flies that worried them all day long.

    'Where's the circus camp?' said George suddenly as they sat munching ham and tomato sandwiches. 'I can't see it.'

    The children looked all round the edge of the lake, which stretched as far as they could see.
    At last George's sharp eyes saw a small spire of smoke rising in the air about a mile or so round the lake.

    'The camp must be in that hollow at the foot of the hills over there,' she said. 'I expect the road leads round to it. We'll go that way, shall we, and then go up into the hills behind?'

    'Yes,' agreed Julian. 'We shall have plenty of time to have a word with Nobby, and to find a good camping-place before night comes — and to find a farm, too, that will let us have food.
    Won't Nobby be surprised to see us?'

    They cleared up, put the horses into their harness again and set off for the circus camp. Now for a bit of excitement!

CHAPTER SIX
    THE CIRCUS CAMP AND NOBBY

    It did not take the caravans very long to come in sight of the circus camp. As George had said, it was in a comfortable hollow, set at the foot of the hills — a quiet spot, well away from any dwelling-places, where the circus animals could enjoy a certain amount of freedom and be exercised in peace.

    The caravans were set round in a wide circle. Tents had been put up here and there. The big elephant was tied by a thick rope to a stout tree. Dogs ran about everywhere, and a string of shining horses was being paraded round a large field nearby.

    'There they all are!' said Anne, excitedly, standing up on the driving-seat to see better.
    'Golly, the chimpanzee is loose, isn't he? No, he isn't — someone has got him on a rope. Is it Nobby with him?'

    'Yes, it is. I say, fancy walking about with a live chimp like that!' said Julian.

    The children looked at everything with the greatest interest as their caravans came nearer to the circus camp. Few people seemed to be about that hot afternoon. Nobby was there with the chimpanzee, and one or two women were stirring pots over small fires — but that seemed to be all.

    The circus dogs set up a great barking as the red and green caravans drew nearer. One or two men came out of the tents and looked up the track that led to the camp. They pointed to the children's caravans and seemed astonished.

    Nobby, with the chimpanzee held firmly by the paw, came out of the camp in curiosity to meet the strange caravans. Julian hailed him.

    'Hi, Nobby! You didn't think you'd see us here, did you?'

    Nobby was amazed to hear his name called. At first he did not remember the children at all.
    Then he gave a yell.

    'Jumping Jiminy, it's you kids I saw away back on the road! What are you doing here?'

    Timmy growled ominously and George called to Nobby. 'He's never seen a chimpanzee before.
    Do you think they'll be friends?'

    'Don't know,' said Nobby doubtfully. 'Old Pongo likes the