the circus boys across the continent(´©Ô½´ó½µÄÂíÏ·ÍÅÄк¢)-µÚ35½Ú
°´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£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡139¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡140¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
loud¡¡splash£»¡¡pink¡¡fluid¡¡spurting¡¡up¡¡in¡¡a¡¡veritable¡¡fountain¡¡over¡¡such¡¡parts¡¡
of¡¡him¡¡as¡¡were¡¡not¡¡already¡¡in¡¡the¡¡tub¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡howled¡¡for¡¡help£»¡¡while¡¡the¡¡show¡¡people¡¡shrieked¡¡with¡¡delight£»¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡lad¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡efforts¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tub£»¡¡¡¡¡¡falling¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡¡¡time£»¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡
finally¡¡rescued¡¡from¡¡his¡¡unfortable¡¡position¡¡by¡¡the¡¡owner¡¡of¡¡the¡¡show¡¡
himself¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡what¡¡you¡¡get¡¡for¡¡meddling¡¡with¡¡other¡¡peoples'¡¡affairs£»¡¨¡¡chided¡¡
Phil£»¡¡laughing¡¡immoderately¡¡as¡¡he¡¡observed¡¡the¡¡rueful¡¡countenance¡¡of¡¡his¡¡
friend¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡I¡¡hadn't¡¡meddled¡¡with¡¡you¡¡last¡¡night£»¡¡you'd¡¡have¡¡been¡¡a¡¡dead¡¡one¡¡
today£»¡¨¡¡retorted¡¡the¡¡lad¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Anyway£»¡¡I've¡¡made¡¡a¡¡loud¡¡splash¡¡this¡¡morning¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡140¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡141¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡XXIII¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡SEARCHING¡¡THE¡¡TRAIN¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Salt¡¡Lake¡¡City¡¡proved¡¡an¡¡unusual¡¡attraction¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Circus¡¡Boys£»¡¡they¡¡
having¡¡read¡¡so¡¡much¡¡of¡¡it¡¡in¡¡story¡¡and¡¡textbooks¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Here¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡visited¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡Mormon¡¡¡¡¡¡Temple¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡During¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡
stand¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡trip¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Great¡¡¡¡¡¡Salt¡¡¡¡¡¡Lake¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡¡¡¡¡Tucker¡¡
insisted¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡swimming¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡¡¡surprise¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡
that¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡swim¡¡at¡¡all¡¡in¡¡the¡¡thick£»¡¡salty¡¡water¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡trip¡¡over¡¡the¡¡
mountains£»¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wonderful¡¡¡¡¡¡scenery¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Rockies¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡deep¡¡
canyons¡¡where¡¡the¡¡sunlight¡¡seldom¡¡reaches¡¡was¡¡one¡¡of¡¡unending¡¡interest¡¡
to¡¡them¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Most¡¡of¡¡the¡¡show¡¡people¡¡had¡¡been¡¡over¡¡this¡¡same¡¡ground¡¡with¡¡other¡¡
circuses¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡¡¡¡¡times¡¡¡¡¡¡before£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡corners¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡civilized¡¡
world¡¡that¡¡the¡¡seasoned¡¡showman¡¡has¡¡not¡¡visited¡¡at¡¡least¡¡once¡¡in¡¡his¡¡life¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡all¡¡new¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Circus¡¡Boys£»¡¡however£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡the¡¡long¡¡day¡¡trips¡¡
over¡¡mountain¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡plain£»¡¡¡¡they¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡themselves¡¡fully¡¡¡¡occupied¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
new£»¡¡entrancing¡¡scenes¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡By¡¡this¡¡time¡¡both¡¡lads¡¡had¡¡bee¡¡really¡¡finished¡¡performers¡¡in¡¡their¡¡
various¡¡acts£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡had¡¡gone¡¡on¡¡through¡¡the¡¡greater¡¡part¡¡of¡¡the¡¡season¡¡
without¡¡serious¡¡accident¡¡in¡¡their¡¡work¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Of¡¡course¡¡they¡¡had¡¡had¡¡tumbles£»¡¡
as¡¡all¡¡showmen¡¡do£»¡¡but¡¡somehow¡¡they¡¡managed¡¡to¡¡e¡¡off¡¡with¡¡whole¡¡
skins¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡a¡¡time¡¡after¡¡the¡¡wreck¡¡of¡¡the¡¡acmodation¡¡car¡¡the¡¡show¡¡had¡¡no¡¡
further¡¡trouble¡¡that¡¡could¡¡be¡¡laid¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door¡¡of¡¡Red¡¡Larry¡¡or¡¡his¡¡partner¡£¡¡
However£»¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡days£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡reports¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡burglaries¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡towns¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
show¡¡exhibited¡¡became¡¡even¡¡more¡¡numerous¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡can't¡¡¡¡¡¡furnish¡¡¡¡¡¡police¡¡protection¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡places¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡visit£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡answered¡¡
Mr¡£¡¡Sparling£»¡¡when¡¡spoken¡¡to¡¡about¡¡this¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But£»¡¡if¡¡ever¡¡I¡¡get¡¡my¡¡hands¡¡on¡¡
that¡¡red¡¡head£»¡¡the¡¡fur¡¡will¡¡fly£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Passing¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡state¡¡of¡¡Utah£»¡¡a¡¡few¡¡stands¡¡were¡¡made¡¡in¡¡Nevada£»¡¡
but¡¡the¡¡jumps¡¡were¡¡now¡¡long¡¡and¡¡it¡¡was¡¡all¡¡the¡¡circus¡¡trains¡¡could¡¡do¡¡to¡¡get¡¡
from¡¡stand¡¡to¡¡stand¡¡in¡¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡it¡¡was£»¡¡they¡¡were¡¡not¡¡always¡¡able¡¡to¡¡give¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡141¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡142¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
the¡¡parade£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡manager¡¡made¡¡up¡¡for¡¡this¡¡by¡¡getting¡¡up¡¡a¡¡free¡¡show¡¡out¡¡
in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡the¡¡big¡¡top¡¡just¡¡before¡¡the¡¡afternoon¡¡and¡¡evening¡¡performances¡¡
began¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Reno¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡played¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevada£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡everyone¡¡¡¡¡¡breathed¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
sigh¡¡of¡¡relief¡¡as¡¡the¡¡tents¡¡were¡¡struck¡¡and¡¡the¡¡show¡¡moved¡¡across¡¡the¡¡line¡¡
into¡¡¡¡¡¡California¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡difficulty¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡getting¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡beast¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡
proved¡¡a¡¡most¡¡serious¡¡one¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡Reno£»¡¡however£»¡¡a¡¡most¡¡serious¡¡thing¡¡had¡¡
occurred£»¡¡one¡¡that¡¡disturbed¡¡the¡¡owner¡¡of¡¡the¡¡show¡¡very¡¡greatly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Many¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡guy¡¡ropes¡¡holding¡¡the¡¡big¡¡top£»¡¡had¡¡been¡¡cut¡¡while¡¡the¡¡performance¡¡was¡¡
going¡¡on¡¡and¡¡most¡¡of¡¡the¡¡canvasmen¡¡and¡¡laborers¡¡were¡¡engaged¡¡in¡¡taking¡¡
down¡¡and¡¡loading¡¡the¡¡menagerie¡¡outfit¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡wind¡¡¡¡¡¡storm¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡ing¡¡¡¡¡¡up£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡fortunately¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡veered¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡
reaching¡¡¡¡¡¡Reno¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡severed¡¡¡¡¡¡ropes¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡discovered¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
show¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tent¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡struck¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡
quickly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡summoned¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡careful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡examination¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ropes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
understood¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡happened¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil£»¡¡¡¡¡¡too£»¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡discovered¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡cut¡¡¡¡¡¡rope¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡others£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dressing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡tent¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡front£»¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡
finishing¡¡his¡¡performance¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡there¡¡was¡¡nothing¡¡now¡¡that¡¡required¡¡his¡¡looking¡¡up¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling£»¡¡
in¡¡view¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡that¡¡the¡¡canvas¡¡was¡¡already¡¡ing¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡after¡¡
getting¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡usual¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡lunch¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡town£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lad¡¡¡¡¡¡strolled¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
railroad¡¡yards¡¡intending¡¡to¡¡visit¡¡the¡¡manager¡¡as¡¡soon¡¡as¡¡the¡¡latter¡¡should¡¡
have¡¡returned¡¡from¡¡the¡¡lot¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡two¡¡met¡¡just¡¡outside¡¡the¡¡owner's¡¡private¡¡car£»¡¡a¡¡short¡¡time¡¡after¡¡the¡¡
loading¡¡had¡¡been¡¡pleted¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡I¡¡want¡¡to¡¡see¡¡you£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling£»¡¡if¡¡you¡¡have¡¡the¡¡time¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I've¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡hopes¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡chance¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
have¡¡a¡¡chat¡¡with¡¡you¡¡before¡¡we¡¡got¡¡started¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Will¡¡you¡¡e¡¡in£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡thank¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Entering¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡private¡¡¡¡¡¡car¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡took¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡coat¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡threw¡¡
himself¡¡into¡¡a¡¡chair¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡his¡¡roll¡top¡¡desk¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Phil£»¡¡¡¡there's¡¡¡¡¡¡deviltry¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡outfit¡¡¡¡¡¡again£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡fixing¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
stern¡¡eye¡¡on¡¡the¡¡little¡¡Circus¡¡Boy¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡nodded¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡142¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡143¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡don't¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡be¡¡very¡¡much¡¡surprised¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡not¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡think¡¡I¡¡know¡¡what¡¡you¡¡mean¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡do£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡for¡¡instance£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡cutting¡¡of¡¡those¡¡ropes¡¡tonight£»¡¨¡¡smiled¡¡Phil¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡know¡¡that£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡lad¡¡nodded¡¡again£»¡¡but¡¡this¡¡time¡¡with¡¡more¡¡emphasis¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Is¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡anything¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡goes¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡outfit¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡
about£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡presume¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡hadn't¡¡¡¡¡¡chanced¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡walk¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡
there¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡guy¡¡¡¡¡¡rope¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡probably¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
discovered¡¡what¡¡had¡¡been¡¡done¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'll¡¡bet¡¡you¡¡would£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡the¡¡owner£»¡¡gazing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡admiringly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡fortunate¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wind¡¡¡¡¡¡storm¡¡¡¡during¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
evening¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Fortunate¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡audience£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡
the¡¡tent¡¡with¡¡those¡¡ropes¡¡gone¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡showed¡¡that¡¡the¡¡cordage¡¡had¡¡been¡¡cut¡¡
by¡¡¡¡¡¡someone¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡familiar¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡canvas¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Almost¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡breath¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡wind¡¡
would¡¡have¡¡caused¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡big¡¡top¡¡to¡¡collapse£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡people¡¡
might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡killed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£»¡¡the¡¡season¡¡is¡¡almost¡¡at¡¡an¡¡end¡¡now¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡we¡¡
are¡¡lucky¡¡we¡¡shall¡¡soon¡¡be¡¡out¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡the¡¡more¡¡reason¡¡for¡¡getting¡¡the¡¡fellow¡¡at¡¡once£»¡¨¡¡nodded¡¡Phil¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨After¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡days¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡shall¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡closing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡shall¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡
opportunity¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡good¡¡logic¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡agree¡¡with¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡be¡¡delighted¡¡to¡¡place¡¡
these¡¡hands¡¡of¡¡mine¡¡right¡¡on¡¡that¡¡fiend's¡¡throat¡£¡¡But¡¡first£»¡¡will¡¡you¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡
how¡¡I¡¡am¡¡going¡¡to¡¡do¡¡it£¿¡¡Haven't¡¡we¡¡been¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡catch¡¡him¡¡ever¡¡since¡¡
those¡¡two¡¡men¡¡were¡¡discharged£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Both¡¡of¡¡them¡¡are¡¡in¡¡this¡¡thing¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡think¡¡you¡¡will¡¡find¡¡that¡¡there¡¡is¡¡only¡¡one¡¡now¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡believe¡¡Larry¡¡is¡¡
working¡¡¡¡¡¡alone¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡haven't¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡particular¡¡¡¡¡¡reason¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡thinking¡¡¡¡¡¡this£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡
sort¡¡of¡¡seems¡¡to¡¡me¡¡to¡¡be¡¡so¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Any¡¡suggestions£»¡¡Phil£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡confess¡¡that¡¡I¡¡am¡¡at¡¡my¡¡wits'¡¡end¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡I¡¡have¡¡been¡¡thinking¡¡of¡¡a¡¡plan¡¡lately¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡is¡¡it£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡143¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡144¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Have¡¡the¡¡trains¡¡searched¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡remember¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡saying£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sometime¡¡¡¡¡¡ago£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡believed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
fellow¡¡was¡¡still¡¡traveling¡¡with¡¡us¡¡and¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡howwhere¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡ride¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡sure¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
discovery£¿¡¨¡¡protested¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡friends¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡show£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that's¡¡¡¡how£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡answered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡
convincingly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡amaze¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡the¡¡same£»¡¡I¡¡believe¡¡you¡¡will¡¡find¡¡that¡¡to¡¡be¡¡the¡¡case¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡you¡¡would¡¡suggest¡¡searching¡¡the¡¡trains£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨When£¿¡¨¡¡