Part 41 (1/2)

Phil shook his head.

”I have an idea, Mr. Sparling,” spoke up Teddy.

”I knew you had, from the expression on your face. What is it?”

”I'll climb up and shake him down.”

A loud laugh greeted this remark.

”You couldn't climb up there. The mast is too slippery.”

”I'll show you.”

”Very well; go ahead.”

”Teddy, I think I would keep out of this, were I in your place,”

remarked Phil.

”You keep out of it yourself. I'll show you that I know how to catch wild beasts. I haven't ridden January all this time for nothing.”

Teddy started in bravely to climb the mast. After a great struggle he managed to get up about eight feet. Suddenly he lost his grip and came sliding down, landing at the foot of the mast in a heap.

A shout greeted his ludicrous drop.

”I think you had better give it up,” laughed Mr. Sparling.

”I won't give it up.”

”You cannot climb the mast.”

”I don't intend to. I have an idea.”

”What is your idea?”

”I will show you. Bring me a rope.”

The rope was quickly handed to him. The Circus Boy coiled it neatly, closely observed by the show people, who did not understand what he was about to do.

”I'm a sailor, you know,” he grinned. Measuring the distance accurately, Teddy swung the coil about his head a few times, then let it fly up into the air, keeping the free end in one hand as he did so.

The coil tumbled over the yard or cross piece and came down, hitting the deck with a thump.

”There. Can you beat that?” he demanded triumphantly.

”Very well done,” agreed Mr. Sparling. ”Now that it is over, what do you propose to do next?”

”Watch me!”

The lad made fast one end of the rope to the s.h.i.+p's rail, the baboon peering down suspiciously.

”Oh, I'm after you, you rascal,” jeered Teddy, shaking a fist at the ugly face above him.