the circus boys across the continent(´©Ô½´ó½µÄÂíÏ·ÍÅÄк¢)-µÚ30ÕÂ
°´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£¡
sound¡¡asleep£»¡¡after¡¡which¡¡he¡¡tumbled¡¡into¡¡his¡¡own¡¡bed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡145¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡146¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡Phil¡¡was¡¡restless¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡so¡¡afraid¡¡that¡¡he¡¡would¡¡oversleep¡¡that¡¡
he¡¡slept¡¡very¡¡little¡¡during¡¡the¡¡night¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡streak¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡dawn¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡tumbled¡¡¡¡¡¡quietly¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡berth£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡
putting¡¡on¡¡his¡¡clothes£»¡¡stepped¡¡out¡¡to¡¡the¡¡front¡¡platform£»¡¡where¡¡he¡¡took¡¡a¡¡
long¡¡breath¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fresh¡¡morning¡¡air¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡train¡¡was¡¡climbing¡¡a¡¡long¡¡grade¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Sierra¡¡Nevadas¡¡and¡¡the¡¡car¡¡
couplings¡¡were¡¡groaning¡¡under¡¡the¡¡weight¡¡put¡¡upon¡¡them¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡climbed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡top¡¡of¡¡the¡¡big¡¡stock¡¡car¡¡just¡¡ahead¡¡of¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡sat¡¡
down¡¡on¡¡the¡¡brake¡¡wheel¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Far¡¡ahead¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡several¡¡men¡¡going¡¡over¡¡the¡¡cars¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They¡¡¡¡have¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡begun¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡search¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡almost¡¡¡¡¡¡through£»¡¨¡¡
muttered¡¡Phil¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨As¡¡I¡¡thought£»¡¡they¡¡are¡¡not¡¡half¡¡doing¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡guess¡¡I'll¡¡take¡¡
a¡¡hand¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡stood¡¡up£»¡¡caught¡¡his¡¡balance¡¡and¡¡began¡¡walking¡¡steadily¡¡over¡¡the¡¡
top¡¡of¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡swaying¡¡car¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡car¡¡he¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡trap¡¡
door¡¡which¡¡was¡¡used¡¡to¡¡push¡¡hay¡¡through¡¡for¡¡the¡¡animals£»¡¡examining¡¡its¡¡
interior¡¡¡¡¡¡carefully¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡sign¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡stranger¡¡¡¡¡¡inside£»¡¡¡¡¡¡nor¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
expect¡¡to¡¡find¡¡any¡¡there¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He'll¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡less¡¡¡¡¡¡likely¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡into£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡muttered¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lad¡¡
starting¡¡on¡¡again¡¡and¡¡jumping¡¡down¡¡to¡¡a¡¡flat¡¡car¡¡just¡¡ahead¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡146¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡147¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡XXIV¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CONCLUSION¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡somebody¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡climbing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡train£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡called¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡
searchers¡¡to¡¡the¡¡train¡¡manager¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡hands¡¡turned£»¡¡gazing¡¡off¡¡toward¡¡Phil¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡swung¡¡his¡¡hands¡¡toward¡¡
them£»¡¡whereat¡¡they¡¡recognized¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡and¡¡went¡¡on¡¡about¡¡their¡¡work¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Wonder¡¡they¡¡saw¡¡even¡¡me£¡¡¨¡¡grumbled¡¡the¡¡lad£»¡¡moving¡¡slowly¡¡along¡£¡¡
It¡¡seemed¡¡almost¡¡impossible¡¡that¡¡one¡¡could¡¡hide¡¡on¡¡a¡¡train¡¡like¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Here¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡sleeping¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wagons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
business¡¡to¡¡get¡¡a¡¡look¡¡into¡¡the¡¡face¡¡of¡¡each¡¡of¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Not¡¡a¡¡man¡¡did¡¡he¡¡
find¡¡who¡¡bore¡¡the¡¡slightest¡¡resemblance¡¡to¡¡Red¡¡Larry¡¡or¡¡Bad¡¡Eye¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡¡¡¡¡doesn't¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡promising£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡say£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡muttered£»¡¡¡¡¡¡jumping¡¡
lightly¡¡from¡¡one¡¡flat¡¡car¡¡to¡¡another¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡had¡¡searched¡¡faithfully¡¡until¡¡finally¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡a¡¡¡¨flat¡¨¡¡just¡¡behind¡¡
that¡¡on¡¡which¡¡stood¡¡the¡¡great¡¡gilded¡¡band¡¡wagon¡£¡¡Now£»¡¡under¡¡its¡¡covering¡¡
of¡¡heavy¡¡canvas£»¡¡none¡¡of¡¡its¡¡gaudy¡¡trimmings¡¡were¡¡to¡¡be¡¡seen¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡sat¡¡down¡¡on¡¡the¡¡low¡¡projection¡¡at¡¡the¡¡side¡¡of¡¡the¡¡flat¡¡car£»¡¡eyeing¡¡
the¡¡band¡¡wagon¡¡suspiciously¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Somehow¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡rid¡¡himself¡¡of¡¡the¡¡impression¡¡that¡¡that¡¡wagon¡¡
would¡¡bear¡¡scrutiny¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'll¡¡¡¡¡¡bet¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡Last¡¡¡¡¡¡year¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡road¡¡
show£»¡¡I¡¡remember¡¡how¡¡the¡¡men¡¡used¡¡to¡¡sleep¡¡in¡¡there¡¡and¡¡how¡¡Teddy¡¡got¡¡
thrown¡¡out¡¡when¡¡he¡¡walked¡¡on¡¡somebody's¡¡face£»¡¨¡¡and¡¡Phil¡¡laughed¡¡softly¡¡
at¡¡the¡¡memory¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡going¡¡to¡¡climb¡¡up¡¡there¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡do¡¡this¡¡was¡¡not¡¡an¡¡easy¡¡matter£»¡¡for¡¡the¡¡band¡¡wagon¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡loom¡¡
above¡¡him¡¡like¡¡a¡¡tent¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡canvas¡¡stretched¡¡over¡¡it£»¡¡extending¡¡clear¡¡down¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡wheels£»¡¡to¡¡which¡¡it¡¡was¡¡secured¡¡by¡¡ropes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡only¡¡way¡¡the¡¡Circus¡¡
Boy¡¡could¡¡get¡¡up¡¡into¡¡the¡¡wagon¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡to¡¡crawl¡¡under¡¡the¡¡canvas¡¡at¡¡
the¡¡bottom¡¡and¡¡gradually¡¡to¡¡work¡¡his¡¡way¡¡up¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡going¡¡to¡¡try¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡decided¡¡all¡¡at¡¡once¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course¡¡they¡¡¡¡didn't¡¡
look¡¡into¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Maybe¡¡they¡¡are¡¡afraid¡¡they¡¡will¡¡find¡¡someone¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£»¡¡here¡¡
goes£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡I¡¡fall¡¡off¡¡that¡¡will¡¡be¡¡the¡¡last¡¡of¡¡me£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡am¡¡not¡¡going¡¡to¡¡fall¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡147¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡148¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
ought¡¡to¡¡be¡¡able¡¡to¡¡climb¡¡by¡¡this¡¡time¡¡if¡¡I'm¡¡ever¡¡going¡¡to¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡got¡¡up¡¡promptly£»¡¡glanced¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡long¡¡train¡¡that¡¡was¡¡winding¡¡
its¡¡way¡¡up¡¡the¡¡steep¡¡mountain£»¡¡then¡¡stepped¡¡across¡¡the¡¡intervening¡¡space¡¡
between¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡cars¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡wasted¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡time£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡immediately¡¡¡¡¡¡lifted¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
canvas¡¡and¡¡peered¡¡along¡¡the¡¡side¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wagon¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡discovered¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡¡¡¡¡¡end¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
order¡¡to¡¡reach¡¡the¡¡top£»¡¡because¡¡the¡¡steps¡¡were¡¡at¡¡that¡¡end¡£¡¡There¡¡the¡¡canvas¡¡
was¡¡drawn¡¡tighter£»¡¡so¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡untied¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ropes£»¡¡leaving¡¡one¡¡corner¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡covering¡¡flapping¡¡in¡¡the¡¡breeze¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cautiously¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quietly¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡¡¡climbing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡wagon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡swaying¡¡
dizzily¡¡with¡¡the¡¡motion¡¡of¡¡the¡¡train£»¡¡making¡¡it¡¡more¡¡and¡¡more¡¡difficult¡¡to¡¡
cling¡¡to¡¡it¡¡as¡¡he¡¡got¡¡nearer¡¡the¡¡top¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡air¡¡was¡¡close£»¡¡and¡¡soon¡¡after¡¡the¡¡
boy¡¡began¡¡going¡¡up£»¡¡the¡¡sun¡¡beat¡¡down¡¡on¡¡the¡¡canvas¡¡cover¡¡suffocatingly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡he¡¡had¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡top¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡High¡¡seats¡¡intervened¡¡between¡¡him¡¡and¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡end£»¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡ahead¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡dropped¡¡
down¡¡into¡¡the¡¡wagon¡¡and¡¡began¡¡creeping¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡rear¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡stumbled¡¡over¡¡some¡¡properties¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡stowed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡wagon£»¡¡
making¡¡a¡¡great¡¡clatter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Instantly¡¡there¡¡was¡¡a¡¡motion¡¡in¡¡the¡¡other¡¡end¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡car¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡scrambled¡¡up¡¡quickly¡¡and¡¡crawled¡¡over¡¡the¡¡high¡¡seat¡¡ahead¡¡of¡¡him¡£¡¡
As¡¡he¡¡did¡¡so¡¡he¡¡uttered¡¡an¡¡exclamation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡red¡¡head¡¡of¡¡Red¡¡Larry¡¡could¡¡
be¡¡seen£»¡¡his¡¡beady¡¡eyes¡¡peering¡¡over¡¡the¡¡back¡¡of¡¡a¡¡seat¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I've¡¡got¡¡you¡¡this¡¡time£»¡¡Red£¡¡¨¡¡exulted¡¡Phil£»¡¡clambering¡¡over¡¡the¡¡seat¡¡in¡¡
such¡¡a¡¡hurry¡¡that¡¡he¡¡fell¡¡in¡¡a¡¡heap¡¡on¡¡the¡¡other¡¡side¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡lad¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡no¡¡sense¡¡that¡¡he¡¡was¡¡placing¡¡himself¡¡in¡¡grave¡¡
peril¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡no¡¡fear¡¡in¡¡his¡¡makeup£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡every¡¡nerve¡¡was¡¡centered¡¡on¡¡
capturing¡¡the¡¡desperate£»¡¡revengeful¡¡man¡¡who¡¡had¡¡not¡¡only¡¡assaulted¡¡Phil£»¡¡
but¡¡who¡¡had¡¡caused¡¡so¡¡much¡¡damage¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Sparling¡¡Shows¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡dare¡¡¡¡¡¡e¡¡¡¡¡¡near¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡cub£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡threatened¡¡¡¡¡¡Red£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡
with¡¡rage¡distorted¡¡face¡¡he¡¡suddenly¡¡whipped¡¡out¡¡a¡¡knife¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡a¡¡club¡¡and¡¡started¡¡toward¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡club¡¡happened¡¡to¡¡
be¡¡a¡¡tent¡¡stake¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡observed¡¡the¡¡action£»¡¡and¡¡crouching¡¡low¡¡waited¡¡as¡¡the¡¡
lad¡¡approached¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡Red£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'm¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡afraid¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡knife¡£¡¡You¡¡¡¡¡¡can't¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡148¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡149¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
touch¡¡me¡¡with¡¡it¡¡because¡¡before¡¡you¡¡get¡¡the¡¡chance¡¡I'm¡¡going¡¡to¡¡slam¡¡you¡¡
over¡¡the¡¡head¡¡with¡¡this¡¡tent¡¡stake£»¡¨¡¡grinned¡¡Phil¡¡Forrest¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡snarled¡¡and¡¡showed¡¡his¡¡teeth¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡you¡¡needn't¡¡think¡¡you¡¡can¡¡get¡¡away¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡are¡¡hunting¡¡for¡¡
you¡¡¡¡¡¡further¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡train¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They'll¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡along¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡minute£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
reckon¡¡¡¡¡¡you'll¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡tied¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dumped¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lion¡¡¡¡¡¡cage£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡
think¡¡even¡¡a¡¡lion¡¡would¡¡eat¡¡such¡¡a¡¡mean¡¡hound¡¡as¡¡you¡¡are¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡straightened¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
hand¡¡besides¡¡the¡¡knife¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡stake¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡drew¡¡back¡¡his¡¡arm£»¡¡hurling¡¡the¡¡heavy¡¡stick¡¡straight¡¡at¡¡his¡¡young¡¡
adversary's¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil£»¡¡¡¡¡¡observing¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡movement¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡¡¡drive¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡tent¡¡
stake£»¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡throw¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡hurriedly£»¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡aim¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡poor¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡Larry's¡¡
aim£»¡¡on¡¡the¡¡other¡¡hand¡¡was¡¡better¡£¡¡Phil¡¡dodged¡¡like¡¡a¡¡flash¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Had¡¡he¡¡not¡¡done¡¡so¡¡the¡¡stake¡¡would¡¡have¡¡struck¡¡him¡¡squarely¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
face¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡it¡¡was¡¡the¡¡missile¡¡grazed¡¡the¡¡side¡¡of¡¡his¡¡head£»¡¡causing¡¡the¡¡lad¡¡to¡¡
fall¡¡in¡¡a¡¡heap¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡Larry¡¡¡¡hesitated¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡second£»¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡leaping¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡high¡¡¡¡¡¡rear¡¡
seat¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wagon¡¡drew¡¡his¡¡knife¡¡along¡¡the¡¡canvas¡¡above¡¡him£»¡¡opening¡¡a¡¡
great¡¡¡¡¡¡slit¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡Through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡opening¡¡¡¡¡¡thus¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡peered¡¡¡¡¡¡cautiously¡£¡¡
What¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡evidently¡¡convinced¡¡him¡¡of¡¡the¡¡truth¡¡of¡¡what¡¡Phil¡¡had¡¡just¡¡
said¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Up¡¡¡¡¡¡toward¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡train¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡searchers¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡work£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
from¡¡what¡¡Red¡¡had¡¡heard¡¡he¡¡realized¡¡they¡¡were¡¡looking¡¡for¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡delay¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡second¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡scrambled¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡canvas¡¡
just¡¡as¡¡Phil¡¡pulled¡¡himself¡¡to¡¡his¡¡feet¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡lad¡¡could¡¡see¡¡the¡¡fellow's¡¡legs¡¡
dangling¡¡through¡¡the¡¡canvas¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡uttered¡¡a¡¡yell£»¡¡hurling¡¡himself¡¡wildly¡¡over¡¡the¡¡high¡backed¡¡seats¡¡in¡¡
an¡¡¡¡¡¡effort¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡catch¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡hold¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡legs¡¡¡¡¡¡ere¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡£¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡Larry¡¡
heard¡¡him¡¡ing£»¡¡and¡¡quickly¡¡clambered¡¡down¡¡the¡¡back¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wagon¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡deck¡¡of¡¡the¡¡flat¡¡car¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡grabbed¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡tent¡¡¡¡¡¡stake¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡stumbled¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡
through¡¡the¡¡wagon¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I've¡¡¡¡¡¡got¡¡¡¡¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡yelled¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡boy¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡pulled¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
opening£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡observing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡standing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hesitatingly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡flat¡¡¡¡car¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
frightened¡¡look¡¡in¡¡his¡¡eyes¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡149¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡150¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hi£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hi£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡cried¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil£»¡¡¡¡¡¡turning¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡gesticulating¡¡¡¡¡¡wildly¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡
further¡¡up¡¡the¡¡train¡¡¡¨I've¡¡got¡¡him£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hurry£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Something¡¡¡¡¡¡sang¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dropped¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quivering¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡canvas¡¡
beyond¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡discharged¡¡tentman's¡¡knife¡¡which¡¡he¡¡had¡¡aimed¡¡
at¡¡Phil£»¡¡his¡¡aim¡¡having¡¡been¡¡destroyed¡¡by¡¡a¡¡lurch¡¡of¡¡the¡¡car£»¡¡thus¡¡saving¡¡the¡¡
Circus¡¡Boy's¡¡life¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Want¡¡to¡¡kill¡¡me£»¡¡do¡¡you£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I've¡¡got¡¡you¡¡now£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡are¡¡ing¡£¡¡
Don't¡¡you¡¡dare¡¡move¡¡or¡¡I'll¡¡drop¡¡this¡¡stake¡¡on¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡miss¡¡you¡¡this¡¡
time¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡hesitating¡¡¡¡¡¡glance£»¡¡¡¡¡¡faced¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡front¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡leaped¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
train¡¡down¡¡the¡¡long£»¡¡sloping¡¡cinder¡covered¡¡bank¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡let¡¡drive¡¡his¡¡tent¡¡stake¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡caught¡¡Red¡¡on¡¡the¡¡shoulder£»¡¡bowling¡¡
the¡¡rascal¡¡over¡¡like¡¡a¡¡nine¡¡pin¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡Forrest¡¡uttered¡¡a¡¡yell¡¡of¡¡exultation£»¡¡suddenly¡¡dropping¡¡to¡¡the¡¡floor¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡car¡¡at¡¡the¡¡imminent¡¡risk¡¡of¡¡his¡¡life¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡were¡¡now¡¡piling¡¡over¡¡the¡¡cars¡¡in¡¡his¡¡direction¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡did¡¡not¡¡
know¡¡¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡jump¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡waste¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡
time¡¡in¡¡idle¡¡speculation¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨e¡¡¡¡¡¡on£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡shouted£»¡¡¡¡¡¡springing¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡edge¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡car£»¡¡¡¡¡¡keeping¡¡
himself¡¡from¡¡falling¡¡by¡¡grasping¡¡a¡¡wheel¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wagon¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡Forrest¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡daring¡¡¡¡¡¡thing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Crouching¡¡¡¡¡¡low£»¡¡¡¡¡¡choosing¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
time¡¡¡¡¡¡unerringly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡jumped¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡train¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Fortunately¡¡