As he sat on the back of the broad-backed ring horse that afternoon, his eyes were looking over the tent questioningly.
"I believe I can do it," mused Phil."If conditions are the same tonight that they are this afternoon I am going to try it."Just then the band struck up and the lad rose gracefully to his feet ready to go through his act for the edification of the great audience.
Phil was making more money than ever before in his circus career, and he now had only one act instead of several.But he cared little for this.It was merely a means to an end.
At night he accompanied Sully to the lot as usual.Phil might have appealed to a policeman, or to one of the many people about him.It will be remembered, however, that he had given his word that he would do nothing of the sort, and Phil Forrest was not the boy to break his word after once having given it.He proposed to get away by his own efforts or else wait until rescued by the Sparling show.
As had been the case with the afternoon show Sully remained over by the bandstand while Phil went through his act.
"I'll finish my performance," decided the lad."I want to give him his money's worth whether he deserves such treatment or not, and then I'll make my try.I can do it, I believe."Nothing of what was passing in the mind of the Circus Boy, of course, was suspected by the owner of the show.Phil had just rounded off his act by a backward somersault and the attendant had slipped the bridle over the head of the ring horse preparatory to leading the animal back to the paddock and horse tent.
"You run along.I will ride him back," directed Phil innocently."Why?""Because I prefer to."
"Very well," answered the groom, turning away and walking slowly toward the paddock, while Phil, who had in the meantime slipped off to the ring, was quickly drawing on his slippers.
By this time Mr.Sully was looking at him, wondering why Phil did not get out of the ring, for another act was coming on, the performers for which already were moving down the concourse.
All at once the Circus Boy threw himself to the back of his mount, landing astride.
Phil brought his riding whip down on the back of the surprised animal with a force that sent the horse forward with a snort.They bounded out of the ring.Instead, however, of turning toward the paddock exit, Phil headed straight for the other end of the tent.There an exit led into the menagerie tent, or where that tent had been, for by this time it had been taken down and carted away to the train.A canvas flap hung loosely over the entrance, but it was not fastened down, as Phil well knew, being left free so people could pass in and out at will.
"Stop him!"
It was the voice of Sully and might have been heard in every part of the big top, though the people did not know what the command meant.
For the moment the circus attendants did not understand either.They had not noticed Phil riding away in the wrong direction.
"Stop him, I say!"
An attendant discovered what was going on and started on a run for Phil, who brought his whip down on the flanks of the ring horse again and again, driving the animal straight at the attendant.The result was that the fellow was bowled over in a twinkling.The horse cleared the man at a bound.
At this the audience roared.They saw that something unusual was taking place, though they did not understand what it all meant.
Half a dozen men ran toward Phil, while Sully himself was charging down the concourse as fast as he could go, roaring out his commands at the top of his powerful voice.
"Get a horse and follow him!" he shouted."Run back and send one of the men out around the tent to head him off! He's running away withmy best ring horse!"
Phil swept through the exit, bowling over two men who were standing there on guard, and nearly running down a group of boys who were standing just outside trying to get a glimpse into the tent.
As he gained the outer air he heard the hoof beats of a running horse bearing down on him from the left side of the big top.
The Circus Boy knew what that meant.They were after him already.
