°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ´©Ô½µç×ÓÊé > the circus boys across the continent(´©Ô½´ó½µÄÂíÏ·ÍÅÄк¢) >

µÚ2ÕÂ

the circus boys across the continent(´©Ô½´ó½µÄÂíÏ·ÍÅÄк¢)-µÚ2ÕÂ


°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡long¡­looked¡­for¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡almost¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡

once¡¡more¡¡join¡¡the¡¡canvas¡¡city¡¡for¡¡a¡¡life¡¡in¡¡the¡¡open¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡next¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡weeks¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡busy¡¡¡¡ones¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡lads£»¡¡with¡¡their¡¡practice¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hard¡¡¡¡¡¡study¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡incident¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡approaching¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡examinations¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Both¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡boys¡¡

passed¡¡with¡¡high¡¡standing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Books¡¡were¡¡put¡¡away£»¡¡gymnasium¡¡apparatus¡¡

stored¡¡and¡¡one¡¡sunlit¡¡morning¡¡two¡¡slender£»¡¡manly¡¡looking¡¡young¡¡fellows£»¡¡

their¡¡¡¡¡¡faces¡¡¡¡¡¡reflecting¡¡¡¡¡¡perfect¡¡¡¡¡¡health¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡happiness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡railroad¡¡

station¡¡waiting¡¡for¡¡the¡¡train¡¡which¡¡should¡¡bear¡¡them¡¡to¡¡the¡¡winter¡¡quarters¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡show¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡6¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡7¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Fully¡¡half¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡gathered¡¡to¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡off£»¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡Edmeston¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

justly¡¡proud¡¡of¡¡its¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡the¡¡train¡¡finally¡¡drew¡¡up¡¡and¡¡the¡¡lads¡¡

clambered¡¡¡¡¡¡aboard£»¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡school¡¡¡¡¡¡panions¡¡¡¡¡¡set¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡mighty¡¡¡¡¡¡shout£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

three¡¡cheers¡¡for¡¡the¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡¡¡¡¡stick¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lion's¡¡¡¡¡¡mouth£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡parting¡¡

salute¡¡Phil¡¡and¡¡Teddy¡¡received¡¡from¡¡the¡¡boys¡¡as¡¡the¡¡train¡¡drew¡¡out¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡Teddy£»¡¡we're¡¡headed¡¡for¡¡the¡¡Golden¡¡Gate¡¡at¡¡last£¡¡¨¡¡glowed¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡bet£¡¡¨¡¡agreed¡¡Teddy¡¡with¡¡more¡¡force¡¡than¡¡elegance¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡wonder¡¡if¡¡old¡¡Emperor¡¡will¡¡remember¡¡me£»¡¡Teddy£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Sure¡¡thing£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡do¡¡you¡¡think¡¡that¡¡'fool¡¡mule£»'¡¡as¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡calls¡¡

him£»¡¡will¡¡remember¡¡me£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Or¡¡will¡¡he¡¡want¡¡to¡¡kick¡¡me¡¡full¡¡of¡¡holes¡¡before¡¡

the¡¡season¡¡has¡¡really¡¡opened£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡shouldn't¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡dependence¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡mule£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡laughed¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¨e¡¡on£»¡¡let's¡¡go¡¡inside¡¡and¡¡sit¡¡down¡£¡¨¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡7¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡8¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡II¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ON¡¡THE¡¡ROAD¡¡ONCE¡¡MORE¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡was¡¡bustle¡¡and¡¡excitement¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Men¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡rushing¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡there£»¡¡¡¡¡¡shouting¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡hoarse¡¡¡¡¡¡mands¡£¡¡

Elephants¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡trumpeting¡¡¡¡¡¡shrilly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡horses¡¡¡¡¡¡neighing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡while£»¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

canvas¡­wrapped¡¡¡¡¡¡wagon¡¡¡¡¡¡savage¡¡¡¡¡¡beasts¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡jungle¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡emitting¡¡¡¡¡¡roar¡¡

upon¡¡roar£»¡¡all¡¡voicing¡¡their¡¡angry¡¡protest¡¡at¡¡being¡¡removed¡¡from¡¡the¡¡winter¡¡

quarters¡¡where¡¡they¡¡had¡¡been¡¡at¡¡rest¡¡for¡¡the¡¡past¡¡six¡¡months¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Great¡¡Sparling¡¡bined¡¡Shows¡¡were¡¡moving¡¡out¡¡for¡¡their¡¡long¡¡

summer's¡¡journey¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡long¡¡trains¡¡were¡¡being¡¡rapidly¡¡loaded¡¡when¡¡Phil¡¡

Forrest¡¡and¡¡Teddy¡¡Tucker¡¡arrived¡¡on¡¡the¡¡scene¡¡late¡¡in¡¡the¡¡afternoon¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡all¡¡new¡¡and¡¡strange¡¡to¡¡them£»¡¡unused¡¡as¡¡they¡¡were¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ways¡¡of¡¡

a¡¡railroad¡¡show¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Their¡¡baggage¡¡had¡¡been¡¡sent¡¡on¡¡ahead¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡so¡¡they¡¡

did¡¡not¡¡have¡¡that¡¡to¡¡bother¡¡with¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Each¡¡carried¡¡a¡¡suitcase£»¡¡however£»¡¡and¡¡

the¡¡boys¡¡were¡¡now¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡find¡¡someone¡¡in¡¡authority¡¡to¡¡ask¡¡where¡¡they¡¡

should¡¡go¡¡and¡¡what¡¡they¡¡should¡¡do¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hello£»¡¡Phil£»¡¡old¡¡boy£¡¡¨¡¡howled¡¡a¡¡familiar¡¡voice¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Who's¡¡that£¿¡¨¡¡demanded¡¡Teddy¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it's¡¡¡¡¡¡Rod¡¡¡¡¡¡Palmer£»¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡working¡¡¡¡¡¡mate¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rings£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡cried¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil£»¡¡

dropping¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡bag¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡darting¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tracks£»¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡espied¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

shock¡¡of¡¡very¡¡red¡¡hair¡¡that¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡could¡¡belong¡¡only¡¡to¡¡Rodney¡¡Palmer¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡strolled¡¡over¡¡with¡¡rather¡¡more¡¡dignity¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Howdy£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡greeted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡red¡­haired¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡boy¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

wringing¡¡each¡¡other's¡¡hands¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Anybody'd¡¡think¡¡you¡¡two¡¡were¡¡long¡¡lost¡¡

brothers¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡are£»¡¡aren't¡¡we£»¡¡Rod£¿¡¨¡¡glowed¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡we¡¡have¡¡been£»¡¡ever¡¡since¡¡you¡¡boys¡¡showed¡¡me¡¡the¡¡brook¡¡where¡¡I¡¡

could¡¡wash¡¡my¡¡face¡¡back¡¡in¡¡that¡¡tank¡¡town¡¡where¡¡you¡¡two¡¡lived¡£¡¡That¡¡was¡¡

last¡¡summer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Seems¡¡like¡¡it¡¡was¡¡yesterday¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡work¡¡together¡¡again£»¡¡I¡¡hear£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'm¡¡glad¡¡of¡¡that¡£¡¡I¡¡guess¡¡

you've¡¡been¡¡doing¡¡something¡¡this¡¡winter£»¡¨¡¡decided¡¡Rodney£»¡¡after¡¡a¡¡critical¡¡

survey¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lads¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡sure¡¡are¡¡both¡¡in¡¡fine¡¡condition¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Quite¡¡a¡¡little¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡8¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡9¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡



lighter¡¡than¡¡you¡¡were¡¡last¡¡season£»¡¡aren't¡¡you£»¡¡Phil£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡I¡¡weigh¡¡ten¡¡pounds¡¡more¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡you¡¡must¡¡be¡¡mighty¡¡hard¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hard¡¡as¡¡a¡¡keg¡¡of¡¡nails£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡hope¡¡not¡¡quite¡¡so¡¡stiff£»¡¨¡¡laughed¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡you¡¡been¡¡working¡¡at£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Rings£»¡¡mostly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We've¡¡done¡¡some¡¡practicing¡¡on¡¡the¡¡trapeze¡£¡¡What¡¡did¡¡

you¡¡do¡¡all¡¡winter£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Me£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡I¡¡joined¡¡a¡¡team¡¡that¡¡was¡¡playing¡¡vaudeville¡¡houses¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡

the¡¡second¡¡man¡¡in¡¡a¡¡ring¡¡act¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Made¡¡good¡¡money¡¡and¡¡saved¡¡most¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¡

Why¡¡didn't¡¡you¡¡join¡¡out¡¡for¡¡the¡¡vaudeville£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡spent¡¡our¡¡winter¡¡at¡¡school£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡a¡¡good¡¡stunt¡¡at¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡tank¡¡town£»¡¡I¡¡suppose£¿¡¨¡¡grinned¡¡the¡¡

red¡­haired¡¡boy¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡call¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡that£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡it's¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡pretty¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡town£»¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same£»¡¨¡¡

replied¡¡Phil¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡saw¡¡many¡¡worse¡¡ones¡¡while¡¡we¡¡were¡¡out¡¡last¡¡season¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡¡¡¡¡you'll¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡lot¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡season¡£¡¡Wait¡¡¡¡¡¡till¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡playing¡¡

some¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡­back¡¡¡¡¡¡western¡¡¡¡¡¡towns¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡show¡¡

once£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡know¡¡what¡¡I'm¡¡talking¡¡about¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Where¡¡are¡¡you¡¡berthed£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡know£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Phil¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Where¡¡are¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Car¡¡number¡¡fourteen¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Haven't¡¡seen¡¡the¡¡old¡¡man£»¡¡then£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mr¡£¡¡Sparling£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡I¡¡want¡¡to¡¡see¡¡him¡¡at¡¡once¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Where¡¡shall¡¡I¡¡

find¡¡him£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡was¡¡here¡¡half¡¡an¡¡hour¡¡ago¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Maybe¡¡he's¡¡in¡¡his¡¡office¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Where¡¡is¡¡that£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Private¡¡car¡¡number¡¡one¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yes£»¡¡the¡¡old¡¡man¡¡has¡¡his¡¡own¡¡elegant¡¡car¡¡

this¡¡season¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He's¡¡living¡¡high£»¡¡I¡¡tell¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡more¡¡sleeping¡¡out¡¡in¡¡an¡¡old¡¡

wagon¡¡that¡¡has¡¡no¡¡springs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡will¡¡be¡¡great¡¡to¡¡get¡¡into¡¡a¡¡real¡¡bed¡¡every¡¡

night£»¡¡won't¡¡it£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡¡shook¡¡his¡¡head¡¡doubtfully¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡'bout¡¡that¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡should¡¡think¡¡it¡¡would¡¡be¡¡pretty¡¡warm¡¡on¡¡a¡¡hot¡¡night£»¡¨¡¡nodded¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡rainy¡¡¡¡¡¡nights£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡laughed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Rodney¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Taking¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡

altogether£»¡¡I¡¡guess¡¡I'll¡¡take¡¡the¡¡Pullman¡¡for¡¡mine¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There¡¡goes¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡now£»¡¨¡¡interjected¡¡Teddy¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡9¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡10¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Where£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Just¡¡climbing¡¡aboard¡¡a¡¡car¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡See¡¡him£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡¡¡¡¡number¡¡¡¡¡¡one£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡advised¡¡¡¡¡¡Rodney¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Better¡¡¡¡¡¡skip£»¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

catch¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He's¡¡hard¡¡to¡¡land¡¡today¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There's¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡for¡¡him¡¡to¡¡look¡¡after¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡e¡¡¡¡¡¡on£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Teddy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Get¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡grip£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil£»¡¡¡¡¡¡hurrying¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

where¡¡he¡¡had¡¡dropped¡¡his¡¡suitcase¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡it's¡¡going¡¡to¡¡be¡¡a¡¡great¡¡show£»¡¨¡¡called¡¡Rodney¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Especially¡¡the¡¡flying¡­ring¡¡act£»¡¨¡¡laughed¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡minutes¡¡¡¡¡¡later¡¡¡¡¡¡both¡¡¡¡¡¡boys¡¡¡¡¡¡climbed¡¡¡¡¡¡aboard¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡private¡¡¡¡¡¡car£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡

leaving¡¡their¡¡bags¡¡on¡¡the¡¡platform£»¡¡pushed¡¡open¡¡the¡¡door¡¡and¡¡entered¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seated¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡roll¡­top¡¡¡¡¡¡desk¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡office¡­like¡¡

partment£»¡¡frowning¡¡over¡¡some¡¡document¡¡that¡¡he¡¡held¡¡in¡¡his¡¡hand¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡boys¡¡waited¡¡until¡¡he¡¡should¡¡look¡¡up¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡did¡¡so¡¡suddenly£»¡¡peering¡¡

at¡¡them¡¡from¡¡beneath¡¡his¡¡heavy¡¡eyebrows¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡was¡¡not¡¡sure£»¡¡from¡¡the¡¡

showman's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡expression£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡recognized¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡not¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡

Sparling¡¡answered¡¡this¡¡question¡¡almost¡¡at¡¡once¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡Forrest£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£»¡¡Tucker£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡suppose¡¡¡¡you've¡¡¡¡e¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡

primed¡¡to¡¡put¡¡my¡¡whole¡¡show¡¡to¡¡the¡¡bad£»¡¡eh£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Maybe£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Teddy¡¡carelessly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡maybe£»¡¡eh£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡that's¡¡the¡¡way¡¡the¡¡flag's¡¡blowing£»¡¡is¡¡it£¿¡¡Well£»¡¡you¡¡

let¡¡me¡¡catch¡¡you¡¡doing¡¡it¡¡andstand¡¡up¡¡here£»¡¡you¡¡two£»¡¡and¡¡let¡¡me¡¡look¡¡at¡¡

you¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡gazed¡¡long¡¡and¡¡searchingly¡¡at¡¡the¡¡Circus¡¡Boys£»¡¡noting¡¡every¡¡line¡¡of¡¡

their¡¡slender£»¡¡shapely¡¡figures¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You'll¡¡do£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡growled¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡sir£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Phil£»¡¡smiling¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Shake¡¡hands¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡thrust¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡both¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hands¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡toward¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡almost¡¡

disconcerting¡¡suddenness¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ouch£¡¡¨¡¡howled¡¡Teddy£»¡¡writhing¡¡under¡¡the¡¡grip¡¡the¡¡showman¡¡gave¡¡him£»¡¡

but¡¡if¡¡Phil¡¡got¡¡a¡¡pressure¡¡of¡¡equal¡¡force¡¡he¡¡made¡¡no¡¡sign¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Where's¡¡your¡¡baggage£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sent¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡trunks¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡yesterday¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡presume¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡

somewhere£»¡¡sir¡£¡¨¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡10¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡11¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡they're¡¡not¡¡in¡¡your¡¡car£»¡¡let¡¡me¡¡know¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you¡¡will¡¡be¡¡good¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡where¡¡our¡¡car¡¡is¡¡I¡¡will¡¡find¡¡out¡¡

at¡¡once¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡showman¡¡consulted¡¡a¡¡typewritten¡¡list¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡are¡¡both¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡car¡¡number¡¡eleven¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡porter¡¡will¡¡show¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

berths¡¡that¡¡have¡¡been¡¡assigned¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡hope¡¡you¡¡will¡¡both¡¡obey¡¡the¡¡

rules¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cars¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡yes£»¡¡sir£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡know¡¡you¡¡will£»¡¡but¡¡I'm¡¡not¡¡so¡¡sure¡¡of¡¡your¡¡fat¡¡friend¡¡here¡£¡¡I¡¡think¡¡it¡¡

might¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡plan¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡tie¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡berth£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡he'll¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡falling¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

platform¡¡some¡¡night£»¡¡get¡¡under¡¡the¡¡wheels¡¡and¡¡wreck¡¡the¡¡train¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡walk¡¡in¡¡my¡¡sleep£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Teddy¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡you¡¡don't£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡frowned£»¡¡then¡¡his¡¡face¡¡broke¡¡out¡¡into¡¡a¡¡broad¡¡smile¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡hopeless¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Run¡¡¡¡¡¡along£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡settled¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡£¡¡

You¡¡understand¡¡that¡¡you¡¡will¡¡keep¡¡your¡¡berth¡¡all¡¡season£»¡¡don't¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡sir¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡time¡¡do¡¡we¡¡go¡¡out£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨One¡¡section¡¡has¡¡already¡¡gone¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡next¡¡and¡¡last¡¡will¡¡leave¡¡tonight¡¡

about¡¡¡¡¡¡ten¡¡¡¡¡¡o'clock¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡early¡¡¡¡start£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡labor¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡

green¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It'll¡¡take¡¡three¡¡times¡¡as¡¡long¡¡to¡¡put¡¡up¡¡the¡¡rag¡¡as¡¡usual¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡rag£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What's¡¡the¡¡rag£¿¡¨¡¡questioned¡¡Teddy¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Beg¡¡¡¡¡¡pardon£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡mocked¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡forgotten¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡

still¡¡a¡¡Reuben¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡rag¡¡is¡¡a¡¡tent£»¡¡in¡¡show¡¡parlance¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Any¡¡orders¡¡after¡¡we¡¡get¡¡settled£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Phil¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Nothing¡¡for¡¡you¡¡to¡¡do¡¡till¡¡parade¡¡time¡¡tomorrow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡will¡¡look¡¡to¡¡

the¡¡same¡¡executives¡¡that¡¡you¡¡did¡¡last¡¡year¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡has¡¡been¡¡no¡¡change¡¡in¡¡

them¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡lads¡¡¡¡¡¡hurried¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡private¡¡¡¡¡¡car£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡searching¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

railroad¡¡¡¡¡¡yard¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡fully¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡hour¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡car¡¡¡¡¡¡number¡¡¡¡¡¡eleven¡£¡¡

This¡¡was¡¡a¡¡bright£»¡¡orange¡­colored¡¡car¡¡with¡¡the¡¡name¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Sparling¡¡Shows¡¡

painted¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡gilt¡¡¡¡¡¡letters¡¡¡¡¡¡near¡¡the¡¡¡¡roof£»¡¡¡¡just¡¡under¡¡the¡¡¡¡eaves¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡smell¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

fr

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨1£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ