Part 12 (1/2)

CHAPTER VII

IN NEW QUARTERS

Though the center pole had been struck by lightning, repairs were soon sufficiently advanced to enable the show to go on and complete the performance. The pole itself was practically ruined.

Fortunately, the show had another one, and the wrecked pole was left on the lot that night as worthless.

After the Roman races the people stood up in their seats and gave three cheers for the boy who had saved many of them from perhaps serious injury or death.

Teddy heard the cheer. He was in his dressing tent changing his clothes, having thus far gotten on only his trousers and unders.h.i.+rt.

He could not restrain his curiosity, so trotting to the entrance he inquired the cause of the commotion.

”They're cheering for you,” a canvasman informed him.

”For me?”

”Yes.”

Teddy needed no more. Without an instant's hesitation he ran out into the ring, where he stood smiling, bowing and throwing kisses to them.

”Come and see us again!” yelled the Circus Boy.

”We will that!” answered a chorus of voices.

”I'll have the big hen lay another egg for you. I--” His voice was drowned in the roar of laughter that followed this sally.

Already the attendants were ripping up the seats, loading them into the wagons, with a rattle and bang. Men were shouting, horses neighing; here and there an animal uttered a hoa.r.s.e-voiced protest at something, it knew not what.

Circus animals often scent a change, perhaps more quickly than do the people about them.

Performers and others, whose duties did not keep them on the lot, were hurrying to get to the dock where the circus boats were waiting, and where Mr. Sparling was attending to the loading.

Phil and Teddy were in no less haste. Quickly getting their trunks packed, they started off for the river. The moon had come out after the storm and the air was fresh and fragrant, though underfoot the evidences of the storm were still present.

”Did I hurt you much when I fell on you tonight, Teddy?”

”Hurt me?”

”Yes?”

”You knocked the breath out of me. But don't let a little thing like that worry you. I thought the tent had fallen on me, or at least a center pole. Lucky I was there, wasn't it?”

”It was.”

”You might have received a b.u.mp that you wouldn't have gotten over right away.”

”I might have done so.”

”I saved your life, didn't I?”

”Perhaps you did. I had only a few feet to drop, you know.