the circus boys across the continent(´©Ô½´ó½µÄÂíÏ·ÍÅÄк¢)-µÚ8ÕÂ
°´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£¡
weight¡¡of¡¡rope¡¡through¡¡the¡¡loop£»¡¡thus¡¡requiring¡¡less¡¡effort¡¡on¡¡his¡¡part¡¡to¡¡
send¡¡it¡¡along¡¡on¡¡its¡¡journey¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Side¡¡pole£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Side¡¡pole£¡¡¨¡¡shouted¡¡the¡¡boy£»¡¡barely¡¡making¡¡himself¡¡heard¡¡
above¡¡the¡¡shouts¡¡below¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡first¡¡they¡¡did¡¡not¡¡catch¡¡the¡¡meaning¡¡of¡¡his¡¡words¡£¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling£»¡¡of¡¡
course£»¡¡was¡¡the¡¡first¡¡to¡¡do¡¡so¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡it£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡you¡¡idiots£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡wooden¡¡Indians£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡thick¡¡heads£¡¡¡
Get¡¡a¡¡side¡¡pole£»¡¡don't¡¡you¡¡understand£¿¡¨¡¡and¡¡the¡¡owner¡¡made¡¡a¡¡dive¡¡at¡¡the¡¡
nearest¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡whereat¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fellow¡¡quickly¡¡¡¡side¡stepped¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡started¡¡
off¡¡on¡¡a¡¡run¡¡for¡¡the¡¡pole¡¡for¡¡which¡¡Phil¡¡had¡¡asked¡£¡¡But£»¡¡even¡¡then£»¡¡some¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡hands¡¡did¡¡not¡¡understand¡¡what¡¡he¡¡could¡¡want¡¡of¡¡a¡¡side¡¡pole¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡instant¡¡it¡¡was¡¡brought¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡snatched¡¡it¡¡from¡¡the¡¡hands¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡tentman¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Raising¡¡¡¡the¡¡pole£»¡¡¡¡assisted¡¡by¡¡¡¡the¡¡boss¡¡¡¡¡¡canvasman£»¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡
able¡¡to¡¡reach¡¡the¡¡loop¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡iron¡¡spike¡¡in¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡pole¡¡was¡¡thrust¡¡
through¡¡the¡¡loop£»¡¡and¡¡by¡¡exerting¡¡considerable¡¡pressure¡¡they¡¡were¡¡able¡¡to¡¡
force¡¡the¡¡loop¡¡slowly¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡ground¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You'll¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡hurry£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡can't¡¡¡¡hang¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡longer£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡cried¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡
weakly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We'll¡¡hurry£»¡¡my¡¡lad¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡won't¡¡be¡¡half¡¡a¡¡minute¡¡now£»¡¨¡¡encouraged¡¡Mr¡£¡¡
Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Stand¡¡by¡¡here¡¡you¡¡blockheads£»¡¡ready¡¡to¡¡fall¡¡on¡¡that¡¡rope¡¡the¡¡
minute¡¡it¡¡gets¡¡within¡¡reach¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Three¡¡of¡¡you¡¡grab¡¡hold¡¡of¡¡the¡¡coil¡¡end¡¡and¡¡
pay¡¡it¡¡out¡¡gradually¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Be¡¡careful¡£¡¡Watch¡¡your¡¡business¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Three¡¡men¡¡sprang¡¡to¡¡do¡¡his¡¡bidding¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Here¡¡es¡¡the¡¡loop£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ready¡¡hands¡¡grasped¡¡the¡¡dangling¡¡rope¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡strands¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡quickly¡¡¡¡¡¡carried¡¡¡¡¡¡together¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡weight¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
dozen¡¡men¡¡thrown¡¡on¡¡them£»¡¡instantly¡¡relieving¡¡the¡¡strain¡¡on¡¡Phil¡¡Forrest's¡¡
body¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡31¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡32¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡had¡¡saved¡¡the¡¡big¡¡top£»¡¡and¡¡perhaps¡¡a¡¡few¡¡lives¡¡at¡¡the¡¡same¡¡time¡£¡¡
Now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡sudden¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dizziness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡overtaken¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Everything¡¡
appeared¡¡to¡¡be¡¡whirling¡¡about¡¡him£»¡¡the¡¡big¡¡top¡¡spinning¡¡like¡¡a¡¡giant¡¡top¡¡
before¡¡his¡¡eyes¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Slide¡¡down¡¡the¡¡rope£¡¡¨¡¡manded¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡lad¡¡slowly¡¡unwound¡¡the¡¡rope¡¡from¡¡his¡¡arm¡¡and¡¡feebly¡¡motioned¡¡to¡¡
them¡¡that¡¡they¡¡were¡¡to¡¡walk¡¡around¡¡the¡¡pole¡¡with¡¡their¡¡end¡¡so¡¡they¡¡might¡¡
hoist¡¡the¡¡iron¡¡ring¡¡to¡¡the¡¡splice¡¡of¡¡the¡¡center¡¡pole¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Never¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡anything¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡yourself£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ordered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We'll¡¡
attend¡¡to¡¡this¡¡mix¡up¡¡ourselves¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Very¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cautiously¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡deliberately£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡force¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡habit¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡
otherwise£»¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡had¡¡let¡¡his¡¡feet¡¡down£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡them¡¡was¡¡groping¡¡for¡¡the¡¡
rope¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Swing¡¡the¡¡line¡¡between¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡legs£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡roared¡¡the¡¡¡¡owner¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Going¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡
him¡¡stay¡¡up¡¡there¡¡all¡¡day£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡what¡¡we're¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡do£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡a¡¡tentman¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡trying¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡That's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡trouble¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡fellows¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡
always¡¡think¡¡you're¡¡trying£»¡¡and¡¡if¡¡you¡¡are£»¡¡you¡¡never¡¡acplish¡¡anything¡£¡¡
Got£»¡¡it£»¡¡Phil£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yyeyes¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Twisting¡¡his¡¡legs¡¡about¡¡the¡¡rope¡¡the¡¡boy¡¡next¡¡took¡¡a¡¡weak¡¡grip¡¡on¡¡it¡¡
with¡¡both¡¡hands£»¡¡then¡¡started¡¡slowly¡¡to¡¡descend¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡how¡¡to¡¡do£»¡¡
so¡¡the¡¡feat¡¡was¡¡attended¡¡with¡¡no¡¡difficulty¡¡other¡¡than¡¡the¡¡strength¡¡required£»¡¡
and¡¡of¡¡which¡¡he¡¡had¡¡none¡¡to¡¡spare¡¡just¡¡at¡¡the¡¡present¡¡moment¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Look¡¡out£¡¡¨¡¡he¡¡called¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡thought¡¡he¡¡had¡¡shouted¡¡it¡¡in¡¡a¡¡loud¡¡tone¡£¡¡
As¡¡a¡¡matter¡¡of¡¡fact¡¡no¡¡sound¡¡issued¡¡from¡¡his¡¡lips¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡¡¡¡¡¡whose¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡fixed¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡boy£»¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
understood¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He's¡¡falling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Catch¡¡him£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡shot¡¡downward¡¡head¡¡first¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡with¡¡the¡¡instinct¡¡of¡¡the¡¡showman¡¡
he¡¡¡¡¡¡curled¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡¡¡¡¡¡consciously¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡
going¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡32¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡33¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡VI¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡SHOWMAN'S¡¡REWARD¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡struck¡¡the¡¡net¡¡with¡¡a¡¡violent¡¡slap¡¡that¡¡was¡¡heard¡¡outside¡¡the¡¡big¡¡
top£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡understand¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡meaning¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡nor¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡
they¡¡give¡¡it¡¡heed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡was¡¡the¡¡first¡¡to¡¡reach¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡lad¡¡had¡¡landed¡¡on¡¡his¡¡
shoulders¡¡and¡¡then¡¡struck¡¡flat¡¡on¡¡his¡¡back£»¡¡the¡¡proper¡¡way¡¡to¡¡fall¡¡into¡¡a¡¡net¡£¡¡
Perhaps¡¡it¡¡was¡¡instinct¡¡that¡¡told¡¡him¡¡what¡¡to¡¡do¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡lad¡¡was¡¡unconscious¡¡when¡¡the¡¡showman¡¡lifted¡¡him¡¡tenderly¡¡from¡¡
the¡¡net¡¡and¡¡laid¡¡him¡¡out¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ground¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Up¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡peak£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡manded¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Get¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡¡
here£»¡¡and¡¡don't¡¡crowd¡¡around¡¡him£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Give¡¡the¡¡boy¡¡air£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tucker£»¡¡you¡¡hike¡¡
for¡¡the¡¡surgeon¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡shove¡¡started¡¡Teddy¡¡for¡¡the¡¡surgeon¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡meantime¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡
was¡¡working¡¡over¡¡Phil£»¡¡seeking¡¡to¡¡bring¡¡him¡¡back¡¡to¡¡consciousness£»¡¡which¡¡
he¡¡finally¡¡succeeded¡¡in¡¡doing¡¡before¡¡the¡¡surgeon¡¡arrived¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡I¡¡fall£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Phil£»¡¡suddenly¡¡opening¡¡his¡¡eyes¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡high¡¡dive£»¡¨¡¡nodded¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡cast¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dome¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡canvas¡¡¡¡¡¡drawing¡¡
taut¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡succeeded¡¡and¡¡he¡¡smiled¡¡contentedly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡By¡¡the¡¡time¡¡the¡¡surgeon¡¡arrived¡¡the¡¡boy¡¡was¡¡on¡¡his¡¡feet¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How¡¡do¡¡you¡¡feel£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡sore£»¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡guess¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡fit¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡few¡¡
minutes¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Able¡¡to¡¡walk¡¡over¡¡to¡¡my¡¡tent£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡not£»¡¡I'll¡¡have¡¡some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fellows¡¡
carry¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡no£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡walk¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡my¡¡¡¡legs¡¡started¡¡¡¡¡¡moving¡£¡¡They¡¡¡¡don't¡¡
seem¡¡to¡¡be¡¡working¡¡the¡¡way¡¡they¡¡should¡¡this¡¡morning£»¡¨¡¡laughed¡¡the¡¡lad¡£¡¡
¡¨My£»¡¡that¡¡tent¡¡weighs¡¡something¡¡doesn't¡¡it£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡does£»¡¨¡¡agreed¡¡the¡¡showman¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Just¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡surgeon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡arrived¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡brief¡¡¡¡examination¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
announced¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡injured£»¡¡¡¡¡¡unless£»¡¡¡¡perhaps£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡33¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡34¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
injured¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡internally¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡subjecting¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡strain¡¡¡¡of¡¡
holding¡¡up¡¡the¡¡tent¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡think¡¡some¡¡breakfast¡¡will¡¡put¡¡me¡¡right¡¡again£»¡¨¡¡decided¡¡the¡¡lad¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Haven't¡¡you¡¡had¡¡your¡¡breakfast¡¡yet£¿¡¨¡¡demanded¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡I¡¡guess¡¡I've¡¡been¡¡too¡¡busy¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨e¡¡with¡¡me£»¡¡then¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡haven't¡¡had¡¡mine¡¡either£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡showman¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Linking¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡arm¡¡¡¡within¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Circus¡¡¡¡¡¡Boy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡¡¡¡¡¡walked¡¡
from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tent£»¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡speaking¡¡¡¡¡¡again¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡reached¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡manager's¡¡
private¡¡tent¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡was¡¡a¡¡larger¡¡and¡¡much¡¡more¡¡modious¡¡affair¡¡than¡¡it¡¡
had¡¡been¡¡last¡¡year¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡placed¡¡Phil¡¡in¡¡a¡¡folding¡¡easy¡¡chair£»¡¡and¡¡sat¡¡down¡¡to¡¡his¡¡desk¡¡where¡¡
he¡¡began¡¡writing¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡finishing£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡looked¡¡up¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Phil£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡¡in¡¡a¡¡more¡¡kindly¡¡tone¡¡than¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡had¡¡ever¡¡before¡¡heard¡¡
him¡¡use£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡was¡¡under¡¡a¡¡deep¡¡obligation¡¡to¡¡you¡¡last¡¡season¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'm¡¡under¡¡a¡¡
greater¡¡one¡¡now¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡wish¡¡you¡¡wouldn't¡¡speak¡¡of¡¡it£»¡¡sir¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡I¡¡have¡¡done¡¡is¡¡purely¡¡in¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡line¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡duty¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡fellow's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡business¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡looking¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡his¡¡
employer's¡¡interests¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡That's¡¡what¡¡I¡¡have¡¡always¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡do¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡tried£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡have£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡corrected¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡¡
fashioned¡¡idea¡¡of¡¡yours¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡a¡¡pity¡¡young¡¡men¡¡don't¡¡feel¡¡more¡¡that¡¡way£»¡¡
these¡¡days¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡that¡¡wasn't¡¡what¡¡I¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡say¡£¡¡As¡¡a¡¡little¡¡expression¡¡of¡¡
how¡¡much¡¡I¡¡appreciate¡¡your¡¡interest£»¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡the¡¡actual¡¡money¡¡loss¡¡you¡¡
have¡¡saved¡¡me£»¡¡I¡¡want¡¡to¡¡make¡¡you¡¡a¡¡little¡¡present¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡no¡¡no£»¡¨¡¡protested¡¡Phil¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Here¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡check¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡I¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡¡¡¡¡dollars¡£¡¡That¡¡
will¡¡give¡¡you¡¡a¡¡little¡¡start¡¡on¡¡the¡¡season¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡it¡¡isn't¡¡all¡¡that¡¡I¡¡am¡¡going¡¡to¡¡
do¡¡for¡¡you¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Please£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Believe¡¡me¡¡I¡¡do¡¡appreciate¡¡your¡¡kindness£»¡¡but¡¡
I¡¡mustn't¡¡take¡¡the¡¡check¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡couldn't¡¡take¡¡the¡¡check¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why¡¡not£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Because¡¡I¡¡haven't¡¡earned¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Haven't¡¡earned¡¡it£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡hasn't¡¡earned¡¡it£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡sir¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡34¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡35¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡showman¡¡threw¡¡his¡¡hands¡¡above¡¡his¡¡head¡¡in¡¡a¡¡hopeless¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡a¡¡
way¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡should¡¡not¡¡feel¡¡that¡¡I¡¡was¡¡doing¡¡right¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡want¡¡to¡¡be¡¡independent£»¡¡
Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡plenty¡¡of¡¡money¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡not¡¡spent¡¡more¡¡than¡¡half¡¡
of¡¡what¡¡I¡¡earned¡¡last¡¡summer¡£¡¡This¡¡season¡¡I¡¡hope¡¡to¡¡lay¡¡by¡¡a¡¡whole¡¡lot£»¡¡so¡¡
that¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡be¡¡quite¡¡independent¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡so¡¡you¡¡shall£»¡¡so¡¡you¡¡shall£»¡¡my¡¡boy£»¡¨¡¡