the circus boys across the continent(´©Ô½´ó½µÄÂíÏ·ÍÅÄк¢)-µÚ10½Ú
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡38¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡39¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
you¡¡the¡¡strong¡armed¡¡man¡¡that¡¡held¡¡the¡¡tent¡¡up¡¡by¡¡your¡¡feet£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Strong¡footed¡¡man£»¡¡you¡¡mean£»¡¨¡¡suggested¡¡another¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡strong¡armed¡¡
man¡¡uses¡¡his¡¡arms¡¡not¡¡his¡¡feet¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨e¡¡over¡¡here¡¡and¡¡show¡¡yourself£»¡¨¡¡shouted¡¡another¡¡voice¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡walked¡¡over¡¡and¡¡stood¡¡smilingly¡¡before¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nothing¡¡seemed¡¡
to¡¡disturb¡¡his¡¡persistent¡¡good¡¡nature¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Huh£»¡¡not¡¡so¡¡much£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡guess¡¡they¡¡stretched¡¡that¡¡yarn£»¡¨¡¡grunted¡¡a¡¡new¡¡
performer¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡guess¡¡¡¡¡¡not£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡interposed¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Miaco¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡happened¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡stunt¡¡
pulled¡¡off¡¡myself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡biggest¡¡thing¡¡I¡¡ever¡¡saw¡¡a¡¡manlet¡¡alone¡¡a¡¡
boyget¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Miaco¡¡¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡scene¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡
detail£»¡¡while¡¡Phil¡¡stole¡¡away¡¡to¡¡his¡¡own¡¡corner£»¡¡where¡¡he¡¡busied¡¡himself¡¡
bending¡¡over¡¡his¡¡trunk¡¡to¡¡hide¡¡his¡¡blushes¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡Teddy¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡emotion¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Almost¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡soon¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡entered¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
dressing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡tent¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡¡¡searching¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡something¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡soon¡¡
found¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡pail£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡appeared¡¡to¡¡be¡¡in¡¡a¡¡hurry¡£¡¡Picking¡¡up¡¡the¡¡pail¡¡
he¡¡ran¡¡with¡¡it¡¡to¡¡the¡¡water¡¡barrel£»¡¡that¡¡always¡¡stands¡¡in¡¡the¡¡dressing¡¡tent£»¡¡
filled¡¡the¡¡pail¡¡and¡¡skulked¡¡out¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡desire¡¡to¡¡attract¡¡attention¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Once¡¡¡¡¡¡outside¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dressing¡¡¡¡¡¡tent¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡¡¡¡¡ran¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡full¡¡¡¡¡¡speed¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
paddock¡¡and¡¡out¡¡into¡¡the¡¡big¡¡top¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡few¡¡men¡¡were¡¡working¡¡here¡¡putting¡¡
up¡¡apparatus¡¡for¡¡the¡¡performers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡gave¡¡no¡¡heed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡boy¡¡with¡¡the¡¡
pail¡¡of¡¡water¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡ran¡¡his¡¡eye¡¡along¡¡the¡¡inside¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tent£»¡¡nodded¡¡and¡¡went¡¡on¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡middle¡¡section¡¡where¡¡he¡¡turned£»¡¡climbing¡¡the¡¡steps¡¡to¡¡the¡¡upper¡¡row¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Arriving¡¡there¡¡he¡¡cautiously¡¡peered¡¡out¡¡over¡¡the¡¡top¡¡of¡¡the¡¡side¡¡wall¡£¡¡
What¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡evidently¡¡was¡¡not¡¡to¡¡his¡¡liking£»¡¡for¡¡once¡¡more¡¡he¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡
the¡¡pail¡¡of¡¡water¡¡and¡¡ran¡¡lightly¡¡along¡¡the¡¡top¡¡seat¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡menagerie¡¡
tent¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡at¡¡once¡¡he¡¡paused£»¡¡put¡¡down¡¡his¡¡pail¡¡and¡¡peered¡¡out¡¡over¡¡the¡¡side¡¡
wall¡¡again¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nodding¡¡with¡¡satisfaction¡¡he¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡the¡¡pail£»¡¡lifted¡¡it¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡top¡¡of¡¡the¡¡side¡¡wall£»¡¡once¡¡more¡¡looked¡¡out¡¡measuring¡¡the¡¡distance¡¡well£»¡¡
then¡¡suddenly¡¡turned¡¡the¡¡pail¡¡bottom¡¡side¡¡up¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡course¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡big¡¡¡¡¡¡top¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡gathered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡several¡¡
handfuls¡¡of¡¡sawdust¡¡and¡¡dirt¡¡which¡¡he¡¡had¡¡stirred¡¡well¡¡into¡¡the¡¡water¡¡as¡¡he¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡39¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡40¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
ran£»¡¡making¡¡a¡¡pasty¡¡mess¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡mixture¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡poured¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡side¡¡¡¡¡¡wall¡£¡¡
Teddy¡¡waited¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡instant¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡observe¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡effect¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡deluge¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
had¡¡turned¡¡on¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡fled¡¡down¡¡the¡¡rattling¡¡board¡¡seats¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Outside¡¡a¡¡sudden¡¡roar¡¡broke¡¡the¡¡stillness¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡sooner¡¡had¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡
the¡¡bottom¡¡of¡¡the¡¡seats¡¡than¡¡several¡¡men¡¡raised¡¡up¡¡the¡¡side¡¡wall¡¡and¡¡came¡¡
tumbling¡¡¡¡¡¡in£»¡¡¡¡¡¡yelling¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡anche¡¡¡¡¡¡Indians¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡¡¡¡¡cast¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡frightened¡¡
look¡¡at¡¡them£»¡¡then¡¡ran¡¡like¡¡all¡¡possessed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡he¡¡had¡¡seen¡¡was¡¡a¡¡red¡¡¡
haired¡¡man¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lead£»¡¡dripping¡¡wet¡¡with¡¡hair¡¡and¡¡clothes¡¡plastered¡¡with¡¡
mud¡¡and¡¡sawdust¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Larry¡¡was¡¡after¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡in¡¡full¡¡cry¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡40¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡41¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡VII¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TRYING¡¡THE¡¡CULPRIT¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Stop¡¡him£¡¡¨¡¡howled¡¡Larry£»¡¡as¡¡he£»¡¡followed¡¡by¡¡half¡¡a¡¡dozen¡¡blue¡shirted¡¡
fellows£»¡¡bolted¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡arena¡¡in¡¡pursuit¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lad¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡emptied¡¡the¡¡
pail¡¡of¡¡muddy¡¡water¡¡over¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy£»¡¡still¡¡clinging¡¡to¡¡the¡¡pail£»¡¡was¡¡sprinting¡¡down¡¡the¡¡concourse¡¡as¡¡if¡¡
his¡¡very¡¡life¡¡depended¡¡upon¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡canvasman£»¡¡¡¡¡¡hearing¡¡Larry's¡¡call£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
suspecting¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡boy¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡wanted¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡serious£»¡¡¡¡¡¡rushed¡¡¡¡¡¡out£»¡¡
heading¡¡Teddy¡¡off¡£¡¡It¡¡looked¡¡as¡¡if¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡were¡¡to¡¡be¡¡captured¡¡right¡¡here¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡¡¡Tucker¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡end¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡resources¡£¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡ran¡¡
straight¡¡on¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡had¡¡not¡¡observed¡¡the¡¡canvasman¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Just¡¡as¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡
the¡¡man£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡latter's¡¡hands¡¡were¡¡stretched¡¡out¡¡to¡¡intercept¡¡him£»¡¡Teddy¡¡
hurled¡¡the¡¡pail¡¡full¡¡in¡¡the¡¡fellow's¡¡face¡£¡¡Then¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡darted¡¡to¡¡one¡¡side¡¡and¡¡
fled¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡paddock¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡canvasman¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡joined¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡procession¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Into¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
dressing¡¡tent¡¡burst¡¡the¡¡boy£»¡¡followed¡¡by¡¡Larry£»¡¡the¡¡others¡¡having¡¡brought¡¡
up¡¡sharply¡¡just¡¡before¡¡reaching¡¡the¡¡dressing¡¡room£»¡¡knowing¡¡full¡¡well¡¡that¡¡
they¡¡had¡¡no¡¡business¡¡there¡¡and¡¡that¡¡their¡¡presence¡¡would¡¡be¡¡quickly¡¡and¡¡
effectively¡¡¡¡¡¡resented¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Larry£»¡¡¡¡¡¡consumed¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡rage£»¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡stop¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡think¡¡
about¡¡this£»¡¡so¡¡he¡¡dashed¡¡on¡¡blindly¡¡to¡¡his¡¡fate¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡circus¡¡¡¡¡¡performers¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dressing¡¡¡¡¡¡tent¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡imagine¡¡
what¡¡was¡¡going¡¡on¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Clotheslines¡¡came¡¡down£»¡¡properties¡¡were¡¡upset¡¡and¡¡
in¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡the¡¡tent¡¡was¡¡in¡¡confusion¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Stop¡¡that£¡¡¨¡¡bellowed¡¡an¡¡irate¡¡performer¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Larry¡¡gave¡¡no¡¡heed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡mand£»¡¡and¡¡Teddy¡¡was¡¡in¡¡too¡¡big¡¡a¡¡hurry¡¡
to¡¡stop¡¡to¡¡explain¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly¡¡Phil¡¡Forrest£»¡¡realizing¡¡that¡¡his¡¡little¡¡panion¡¡was¡¡in¡¡danger£»¡¡
gave¡¡a¡¡leap¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡landed¡¡on¡¡Larry's¡¡back£»¡¡pinioning¡¡the¡¡fellow's¡¡arms¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
his¡¡sides¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡stop¡¡that¡¡now£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡let¡¡him¡¡alone£¡¡¨¡¡manded¡¡Phil¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Before¡¡the¡¡canvasman¡¡could¡¡make¡¡an¡¡effort¡¡to¡¡free¡¡himself£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Miaco£»¡¡
the¡¡head¡¡clown£»¡¡took¡¡a¡¡hand¡¡in¡¡the¡¡proceedings¡£¡¡Throwing¡¡Phil¡¡from¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡41¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡42¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
tentman£»¡¡Miaco¡¡jerked¡¡Larry¡¡about£»¡¡and¡¡demanded¡¡to¡¡know¡¡what¡¡he¡¡meant¡¡
by¡¡intruding¡¡on¡¡the¡¡privacy¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dressing¡¡tent¡¡in¡¡that¡¡manner¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡want¡¡that¡¡kid£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡growled¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Put¡¡him¡¡out£¡¡¨¡¡howled¡¡a¡¡voice¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡want¡¡him¡¡for£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hehe¡¡dumped¡¡a¡¡pail¡¡of¡¡water¡¡over¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡get¡¡even¡¡with¡¡him¡£¡¡I'll¡¡
¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How¡¡about¡¡this£»¡¡Master¡¡Teddy£¿¡¨¡¡questioned¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Miaco¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡¡¡explained¡¡¡¡¡¡briefly¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fellow¡¡¡¡¡¡Larry¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡panion¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡
ducked¡¡him¡¡under¡¡the¡¡water¡¡tank£»¡¡and¡¡had¡¡ruined¡¡his¡¡clothes£»¡¡together¡¡with¡¡
causing¡¡him¡¡to¡¡miss¡¡his¡¡train¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡demands¡¡investigation£»¡¨¡¡decided¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Miaco¡¡gravely¡£¡¡¡¨Fellows£»¡¡it¡¡
is¡¡evident¡¡that¡¡we¡¡had¡¡better¡¡try¡¡this¡¡man¡£¡¡That¡¡is¡¡the¡¡best¡¡way¡¡to¡¡dispose¡¡
of¡¡his¡¡case¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡yes£»¡¡try¡¡him£¡¡¨¡¡they¡¡shouted¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Whom¡¡shall¡¡we¡¡have¡¡for¡¡judge£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oscar£»¡¡the¡¡midget£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smallest¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Man¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡Earth¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quickly¡¡¡¡¡¡boosted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡top¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
property¡¡box¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Vot¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡iss£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡questioned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡midget£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡wizened£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡yellow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡face¡¡
wrinkling¡¡into¡¡a¡¡questioning¡¡smile¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡are¡¡going¡¡to¡¡try¡¡this¡¡fellow£»¡¡Larry£»¡¡and¡¡you¡¡are¡¡to¡¡be¡¡the¡¡judge¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yah£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡agreed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oscar£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡subsided£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡listening¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡
proceedings¡¡that¡¡followed£»¡¡with¡¡grave£»¡¡expressionless¡¡eyes¡£¡¡It¡¡is¡¡doubtful¡¡if¡¡
Oscar¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡understood¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡about£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡gravity¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡judicial¡¡
manner¡¡sent¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡dressing¡¡tent¡¡into¡¡an¡¡uproar¡¡of¡¡merriment¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡evidence¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡in£»¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡entire¡¡¡¡¡¡pany¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡taking¡¡¡¡¡¡part¡¡¡¡in¡¡
testifying£»¡¡amid¡¡much¡¡merrimentfor¡¡the¡¡performers¡¡entered¡¡into¡¡the¡¡spirit¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡trial¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡lot¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡schoolboysOscar¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡decide¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡
should¡¡be¡¡done¡¡with¡¡the¡¡prisoner¡¡Larry¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oscar¡¡was¡¡at¡¡a¡¡loss¡¡to¡¡know¡¡how¡¡to¡¡answer¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Duck¡¡him£»¡¨¡¡suggested¡¡one¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡was¡¡an¡¡inspiration¡¡to¡¡Oscar¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡smiled¡¡broadly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yah£»¡¡dat¡¡iss¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡42¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡43¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡iss£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡demanded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Tallest¡¡¡¡¡¡Man¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡¡¡Earth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Talk¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡United¡¡
States¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yah£»¡¨¡¡agreed¡¡Oscar£»¡¡smiling¡¡seraphically¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Duck¡¡um¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Larry£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡the¡¡verdict¡¡of¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡court¡¡that¡¡you¡¡be¡¡ducked£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡
fitting¡¡punishment¡¡for¡¡one¡¡who¡¡has¡¡mitted¡¡the¡¡crime¡¡of¡¡laying¡¡hands¡¡
on¡¡a¡¡Circus¡¡Boy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Are¡¡we¡¡all¡¡agreed¡¡on¡¡the¡¡punishment¡¡meted¡¡out¡¡by¡¡the¡¡
dignified¡¡judge£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡yes£¡¡¨¡¡they¡¡shouted¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡rain¡¡barrel¡¡for¡¡him¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Men£»¡¡do¡¡your¡¡duty£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Miaco¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡wouldn't¡¡do¡¡that£»¡¨¡¡interposed¡¡Phil¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡haven't¡¡any¡¡more¡¡right¡¡to¡¡
duck¡¡him¡¡than¡¡he¡¡had¡¡to¡¡put¡¡Teddy¡¡under¡¡the¡¡water¡¡tank¡£¡¡It¡¡isn't¡¡right¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡they¡¡gave¡¡no¡¡heed¡¡to¡¡his¡¡protests¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Willing¡¡hands¡¡grabbed¡¡the¡¡red¡¡¡
headed¡¡tentman£»¡¡who