THROUGH RINGS OF FIRE
"If there should happen to be a wind we might cut a rope or two and let the big top down on them," suggested parade manager.
"Yes; it would put them out of business for the night performance, but we don't want them to fill up for the afternoon show.That's when they are going to get the money.You see, Sparling's show is bigger and better known than ours, and showing there the same day we are liable to get the worst of it.Can't you suggest anything else?""If you don't like letting the big top down on their heads, and providing there is no wind to make the attempt worthwhile, I would suggest another way.""The scoundrels!" breathed the listener above their heads."What's your suggestion?""Stampede the elephants."
"That's a dandy!And we know how to do it, eh, Lawrence?" The parade manager nodded emphatically.
"They'll never know what happened to them.We can do it before the show gets to the lot if you think best?"Sully shook his head.
"No.We'll wait till just as the doors are about to open for the afternoon show.Mind you, I'm not saying we shall do it.I'll think about the matter.Perhaps I can think up a better plan after I have gone over the matter.""Where's that boy you told me about?"
Sully motioned toward the end of the car where Phil was locked in the linen closet.
"What you going to do with him?" "Drop him when I get ready.""But aren't you afraid the other outfit will get wind of what you are doing? It's pretty dangerous business to lock up a fellow like that.""I don't care whether they get wise to it or not.They won't know where he is.After we get to the border I don't care a rap for them," andthe showman snapped his fingers disdainfully."They can't touch us on the other side of the Niagara River and they'd better not try it.Maybe Sparling won't be in business by that time," grinned the showman with a knowing wink.
Sully rose, and shortly afterwards left the car with his parade manager.Phil sat down on the floor of his compartment with head in hands, trying to think what he had better do.These men were planning adeliberate campaign to wreck his employer's show.
"Something must be done!" breathed the boy, clenching his fists until the nails bit into the flesh, "But what can I do, I can do nothing unless I can get away from here, and they will not let me out, at least not until we have gotten by Corinto."The more he thought and planned the greater his perplexity became.There seemed no way out of it.His only hope now seemed to lie in Mr.Sparling becoming alarmed at his absence, and instituting a search for him.His employer would quickly divine something of the truth after Phil had remained silent for two or three days.Perhaps, even now, the owner of the Great Sparling Combined Shows had sent someone on to learn what had become of his star bareback rider.
Phil's train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the door of his compartment being violently jerked open.
The lad's first impulse was to tell Sully, who now stood facing him, what he had overheard.Upon second thought, however, Phil decided that it would be much better to give the showman no intimation of what he had learned.
"Come out, young man."
Phil complied, glad to be free of his narrow chamber, no matter what the reason for the summons might be.
"What do you wish of me now?"
"Come into my office and I'll tell you.I understand you are a bareback rider," continued Sully, after they had seated themselves in his little office, the door being locked behind them.
"So you say."
"And a good one at that?"
Phil made no answer.He had not the least idea what was coming."My principal bareback rider stepped on a switch frog this morningand turned his ankle.He is out of the running for a week.I need a man more than I ever did.Do you want to join this show?"Phil gazed at him in amazement.
"You haven't money enough to induce me to.""Perhaps I have, but I won't induce with it," grinned the owner."I've a plan to suggest.""What is it?"
"If you will ride for me until we get to Corinto I'll give you seventy- five dollars."The Circus Boy was on the point of making an emphatic refusal, when he suddenly checked himself and remained silent, as if thinking the proposition over.
"Well, what do you say?"
"If I do as you wish, when will you let me go?" "Perhaps after we leave Corinto.""I don't believe you intend to do anything of the sort." "You think I'd lie to you?" blustered Sully.
"I'm not saying that.But I know you are not above doing worse things.I'll tell you what I will do.""Yes."
"I'll ride for you today for twenty-five dollars." "Done!"1
"Well, I must say you are brutally frank.""That's the way I do business," answered the lad proudly.
"But see here, young man, you must agree that you will make no effort to get away," demanded the showman a sudden thought occurring to him.
"I shall make no such agreement.If I get a chance to get away I'll do it, you may depend upon that.I will agree, however, to make no outcry nor to appeal to anyone to help me.If I can't manage it my own way, I'llstay here till I can.Remember, I'm going to beat you if I can, and if I can't, why Mr.Sparling will settle with you.He will do it properly, too."The showman leaned back and guffawed loudly.
"I never saw a kid like you yet.You beat anything that ever got into a freak tent.You are so infernally honest that you give me notice you're going to try to escape from me.Thanks, my boy, for the timely warning.I'll see to it that you don't get away until I am ready to lose you.If you try it you must expect some rough treatment, and you'll get it too." "Very well; I accept the terms.How about the payment in advance?"Sully drew a roll of bills from his pocket counting out the sum agreed upon.
