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again； driving the animal straight at the attendant。 The result was that the
fellow was bowled over in a twinkling。 The horse cleared the man at a
bound。
At this the audience roared。 They saw that something unusual was
taking place； though they did not understand what it all meant。
Half a dozen men ran toward Phil； while Sully himself was charging
down the concourse as fast as he could go； roaring out his commands at
the top of his powerful voice。
〃Get a horse and follow him！〃 he shouted。 〃Run back and send one
of the men out around the tent to head him off！ He's running away with
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
my best ring horse！〃
Phil swept through the exit； bowling over two men who were standing
there on guard； and nearly running down a group of boys who were
standing just outside trying to get a glimpse into the tent。
As he gained the outer air he heard the hoof beats of a running horse
bearing down on him from the left side of the big top。
The Circus Boy knew what that meant。 They were after him already。
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
CHAPTER XV
OUTWITTING THE PURSUERS
〃Oh； if only I had a faster horse！〃 Forrest breathed。 〃I am afraid this
old ring horse never will be able to get away from them。〃
Phil was urging the animal with voice and whip； but it was difficult to
get the animal into a faster pace than his regular ring gaitthe gait that he
had been following for many years。 This was scarcely faster than a man
could trot。
Phil espied a pole wagon partially loaded； just ahead of him。 At sight
of it a sudden idea occurred to him。 He acted at once。
Riding close to the wagon the lad slipped off and； giving the horse a
sharp blow with the whip over one hip； Phil ducked under the wagon。
The ring horse galloped on a few rods and then stopped。
〃I guess it's time I was getting away from here；〃 decided the lad。 〃I'll
be caught sure； if I do not hurry。〃
The lot was in an uproar。 Men were running this way and that； and
above the din could be heard the voice of the owner； roaring out orders。
Phil； being still in his pink tights； was a conspicuous figure。 He knew
that if a ray from a torch should chance to rest on him for a moment； they
would discover him at once。
Running in a crouching position the boy made for the further side of
the lot； where he hoped to get far enough away so that he could straighten
up and make better time。
He did finally reach a safe place； and climbing a board fence； dropped
on the other side and lay down to await developments。 These were not
long coming。 All at once he discovered half a dozen men running
directly toward him。 Whether they had caught sight of him or not； he did
not know。 He did know that it was time to leave。
Phil left。 Springing up； he fairly flew over the ground。
The men caught sight of him； as he realized when one of them uttered
a yell。 But Phil was a faster runner than any of them and in a few
minutes； darting this way and that； and finally doubling on his tracks in a
wide circle； he succeeded in outwitting them。
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〃The question is； what am I going to do now？〃 he asked himself；
pausing abruptly。 〃In this rig I don't dare go into the town； or they will
nab me on some trumped up charge and then I shall be worse off。 Now I
am free； even if I haven't got much on me in the way of clothing。 I might
as well not have anything so far as keeping warm is concerned。〃 Phil
shivered； for the night was cool and a heavy dew falling。
〃I know what I'll do。 I'll slip back to the lot and perhaps I shall be
able to find something to put on。 There's usually plenty of coats lying
about on the wagons。〃
Now that the uproar had ceased Phil crept back toward the circus lot；
lying down in the grass whenever he heard a sound near him and peering
into the darkness。
At the risk of being discovered he crawled up to a wagon； climbed
aboard and searched it diligently for clothes。 He found none。 Keenly
disappointed； Phil made his way to the pole wagon under which he had
taken refuge in his first effort at getting away。 This； he found； was loaded
ready to be taken to the train。 At any moment； now； a team might be
hitched to it。
〃I guess I'll have to hurry！〃 muttered the lad。 Phil's knowledge of
circus affairs stood him in good stead now。
To the boy's delight； he found a bundle in which were a coat and a pair
of overalls； rolled up and stowed under the driver's seat。
〃Fine！〃 chuckled Phil。 〃It's a good deal like stealing； but I have to
have them and I'll send the fellow a new pair if ever I get back to my own
show。 He'll be mad in the morning when he goes to get his clothes。 I
wish I had a hat and pair of shoes。 But I guess I ought to be thankful for
what I already have。〃
Saying this； Phil dropped from the wagon and quickly got into the
clothes。 They were old and dirty； but he did not mind that。 They were
clothes and they would cover his conspicuous ring costume； which was the
most important thing for him to consider at the present moment。
〃Now； I'll buy a ticket and get started for Corinto；〃 he decided。
Phil reached under the neck of his shirt for his little bag of money。
〃Oh； pshaw！ I've lost it。 Let me see； did I put my money in there
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before I entered the ring？〃
For the life of him he was unable to say whether he had done so； or
whether his money was still in his clothes back in the dressing tent。
〃Well； I shall never see that money again； I am thinking。 If I left it in
my clothes it is gone by this time； and if I didn't it is gone anyway；〃 was
his logical conclusion。
The first thing to be done now was to ge