Their progress was a triumphal one so far as the audience was concerned, for the people cheered them all the way and until the slender riders had disappeared behind the crimson curtain just beyond the bandstand.
Phil quietly washed the dirt from his face, and pulling on his street clothes over his ring costume, started to reenter the arena.
At that moment Mr.Sparling came hurrying in.The two met in the pad room.
"Phil, how did that accident happen?" demanded the showman."You saw it, did you not, Mr.Sparling?""Yes.But I was unable to understand how it occurred.""That is exactly what is bothering me," answered the lad, with a peculiar smile that the owner of the show was not slow to catch.
"You suspect something?"
"I suspect I got a bump that I shan't forget soon," laughed the Circus Boy."It is a wonder I did not break my neck.""You undoubtedly saved Dimples' life at the risk of your own.You are the pluckiest lad--no, I'll say the pluckiest _man_ I have ever known.""Don't make me blush, Mr.Sparling."
"Nevertheless, I wish you wouldn't take chances on that act again.Give the audience the same old act and they will be satisfied with that.""Didn't you like the act?" "Like it?"
"Yes."
"It was the finest exhibition of its kind that I ever saw.I hope neither the Ringlings, nor Barnum and Bailey, nor any of the big shows get a peep at that act.""Why?"
"Because were they to do so I would be sure to lose my little star performers right in the middle of the season," laughed the owner.
"Oh, I hardly think so.I do not wish to leave this show.Had it not been for you I should still be doing chores for my board and clothes back in Edmeston.Now wouldn't that be fine?""Very," grinned the showman.
"Whatever I have accomplished I have you to thank for.""You mean you owe to your own brightness and cleverness.No, Phil, you are a boy who would have succeeded anywhere.They can't keep you down--no, not even were they to sit on you.""If Fat Marie, with her five hundred and odd pounds, were to sit on me, I rather think I would be kept down," answered the Circus Boy, with a hearty laugh in which Mr.Sparling joined uproariously.
"What is Teddy doing out in the ring?"
"I left him there to keep an eye on the injured horse." "Why, Phil?""Until I could get back and make an examination." "Very well; I want to see you after you have done so." "I will look you up."With that Phil hurried out into the arena.None of the spectators appeared to recognize the lad in his street clothes.Besides, he tried to avoid observation.He might have been one of the spectators, except that he picked his way, among the ropes and properties down through the center, where the public were not allowed to go.
"The rest of you may go," said Phil, reaching the ring where Jim lay breathing heavily."Thank you for easing off old Jim.I know he appreciates it."Jim looked up pleadingly as Phil bent over him, patting the animal on his splendid old gray head.
The attendants went about their duties."How'd this happen, Phil?" questioned Teddy."I fell off; that's what happened.""Yes, I know you did, but there's more to it.I wonder if it's got anything to do with the loss of my egg?""I guess not."
"You guess not?Well, I know something, Phil." "I should hope you do.""I mean about this accident."
Phil gazed at his companion keenly."What do you know?""Look here," said Teddy, pointing to a depression in the sawdust arena.
Phil bent over, examining the spot closely.When he rose, his lips were tightly compressed and his face was pale.
"Don't mention this to anyone, Teddy.Promise me?"" 'Course I won't tell.Why should I? But I found out about it, didn't I?""Yes; at least you have made a pretty good start in that direction.I shall have to tell Mr.Sparling.It would not be right to keep this information from him.""N-n-o-o.Then maybe he'll organize a posse to hunt for my egg." "Oh, hang your old egg!"The Roman chariot races were on, the rattle of the wheels, the shouts of the drivers drowning the voices of the two boys.
"Teddy, you'll have to get back and change your clothes.The performance is about over.That makes me think.I have on my ring clothes under this suit and I must hurry back to my bath and my change."The performance closed and the rattle and bang of tearing down the big white city had begun.The boys were engaged in packing their trunks now, as were most of their fellow performers.
"What's that?" demanded Teddy, straightening up suddenly."Somebody fired a shot," answered another performer.
Phil knew what it meant.
A bullet had ended the sufferings of the faithful old ring horse off under the big top.The Circus Boy turned away, with a blinding mist in his eyes.
"Poor old Jim!" he groaned.
Off under the women's dressing tent another pair of ears had heard and understood, and Little Dimples, burying her head in her hands wept softly.
"Poor old Jim!" she, too, murmured.
