Part 28 (1/2)

”I know a better way to punish him for that ghastly joke.”

”How?”

”Take the food away from him, tie him up and make him watch us eat,” was the answer.

A shout of laughter greeted the proposition.

The pilot of the ”Marie,” a heavily bearded man named c.u.mmings, broke out in a loud guffaw.

All eyes were turned upon him.

”I reckon I kin tie him up if you says the word,” he volunteered.

”All right; tie him up,” shouted the performers, scenting fun.

Teddy eyed the pilot out of the corners of his eyes and placidly munched his sandwich. The pilot, in the meantime, had stepped to the rear end of the cabin, where, from a box of life-preservers he took a piece of Manila rope.

”I believe he is going to do it,” said a clown, nudging his companion.

”You mean he is going to try it,” answered the other. ”Watch for some fun. He thinks Teddy is an easy mark.”

”He will be in this case. That fellow, c.u.mmings, is hard as a rail fence. He could handle two of Teddy.”

In the meantime Tucker had strolled to the table, from which he took a large sandwich, b.u.t.tered it well, then returned to his seat, not appearing to observe the pilot's movements at all.

As he sat down the lad was observed to open the sandwich, removing the thin slice of ham and stowing the latter in his coat pocket. Then he sat thoughtfully contemplating the two pieces of b.u.t.tered bread as if trying to decide whether or not he should eat them.

”Get up, kiddie,” said c.u.mmings, grasping the boy by the shoulder. ”Get up and take your punishment like a little dear.”

Teddy got up, carelessly, indifferently, while the pilot stretched the rope to its full length.

The boy saw that he was in earnest.

Smack!

Quick as a flash Teddy had plastered one half of the sandwich, b.u.t.tered side in, right over the eyes of c.u.mmings.

Smack!

The second half of the sandwich landed neatly over his mouth, pressed home by a firm fist.

c.u.mmings could not speak, neither could he see. At that moment he was perhaps the most surprised man on the Mississippi River.

At least he appeared to be, for he stood still. He stood still just a few seconds too long.

Teddy had seized the rope. With it he made a quick twist about the body of the pilot, taking two turns, then drawing the rope tight and tying it, thus pinioning the hands and arms of the pilot to his sides.

”Yip-yeow!” howled Teddy.

The show people shrieked with delight.

”You'll tie up a Circus Boy, will you?” jeered Teddy.