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Phil nodded his approval of the statement。
In the meantime Teddy had made fast the end of the rope to the aerial
bar； and grasping the rope firmly in his hands； began letting himself down
hand under hand。
〃Better twist your legs about the rope；〃 called Phil。
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
〃No。 It isn't neces〃
Just then Teddy uttered a howl。 The rope； which he had not properly
secured； suddenly slipped from the bar overhead。
Teddy dropped like a shot。
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
CHAPTER XIX
THE CIRCUS ON AN ISLAND
Teddy landed in the net with a smack that made the spectators gasp。
〃Are you hurt；〃 cried Mr。 Sparling； running forward。
Teddy got up； rubbing his shins gingerly； working his head from side
to side to make sure that his neck was properly in place。
〃N…n…no； I guess not。 I'll bet that net got a clump that it won't forget
in a hurry； though。 Folks； the show is all over。 You may go home now；〃
added Teddy； turning to the audience and waving his hand to them。
The seats began to rattle as the people； realizing that there was nothing
more to be seen； finally decided to start for home。
〃It is lucky； young man； that I had that net under you；〃 announced Mr。
Sparling。
〃Lucky for me； but a sad blow to the net；〃 answered Teddy
humorously； whereat Mr。 Sparling shook his head hopelessly。
The tent was beginning to darken and the showman glanced up
apprehensively。
〃What's the outlook？〃 he asked as Mr。 Kennedy passed。
〃Just a shower； I guess。〃
The owner strode to the side wall and peered out under the tent； then
crawled out for a survey of the skies。
〃We are in for a lively storm；〃 he declared。 〃It may not break until
late tonight； and I hardly think it will before then。 Please tell the director to
cut short all the acts tonight。 I want every stick and stitch off the lot no
later than eleven o'clock tonight。〃
〃Shall we cut out the Grand Entry？〃
〃Yes； by all means。 If possible I should like to make the next town
before the storm breaks； as it's liable to be a long； wet one。〃
〃I don't care。 I've got a rubber coat and a pair of rubber boots with a
hole in one of them；〃 spoke up Teddy。
〃And； Teddy Tucker；〃 added the owner； turning to the Circus Boy。 〃If
you mix things up tonight； and delay us a minute anywhere； I'll fire you。
Understand？〃
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Teddy shook his head。
〃You don't？ Well； I'll see if I can make it plainer then。〃
〃Why； Mr。 Sparling； you wouldn't discharge me； now； would you？
Don't you know this show couldn't get along without me？〃
The showman gazed sternly at Teddy for a moment； then his face
broke out in a broad smile。
〃I guess you're right at that； my boy。〃
The cook tent came down without delay that afternoon； and on account
of the darkness the gasoline lamps had to be lighted a full two hours
earlier than usual。
The show at the evening performance was pushed forward with a rush；
while many anxious eyes were upon the skies； for it was believed that the
heaviest rainstorm in years was about to fall。
By dint of much hard work； together with a great deal of shouting and
racket； the tents were off the field by the time indicated by Mr。 Sparling；
and loaded。 A quick start was made。 Long before morning the little
border town of Tarbert； their next stand； was reached。
Mr。 Sparling had all hands out at once。
〃Get to the lot and pitch your tents。 Everything has got to be up
before daylight；〃 he ordered。 〃You'll have something to eat just as soon
as you get the cook tent in place。〃
That was inducement enough to make the men work with a will； and
they did。 The menagerie and circus tents had been laced together； lying
flat on the ground； when the storm broke。
〃That will keep the lot dry； but hustle it！ Get the canvas up before it
is so soaked you can't raise it；〃 commanded the owner。
By daylight the tents were in place； though men had to be stationed
constantly at the guy ropes to loosen them as they strained tight from the
moisture they absorbed。
The rain seemed to be coming down in sheets。 Fortunately the lot
chosen for pitching the tents was on a strip of ground higher than anything
about it； so the footing remained fairly solid。 But it was a cheerless
outlook。 The performers； with their rubber boots on； came splashing
through a sea of mud and water on their way to the cook tent that morning；
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Phil and Teddy with the rest。
〃Looks like rain； doesn't it；〃 greeted Teddy； as he espied Mr。 Sparling
plodding about with a keen eye to the safety of his tents。
〃I wish the outlook for business today were as good；〃 was the
comprehensive answer。
When the hour for starting the parade arrived； the water over the flats
about them was so deep and the mud so soft that it was decided to
abandon the parade for that day。
〃I almost wish we hadn't unloaded；〃 said the owner。 〃It looks to me
as if we might be tied up here for sometime。〃
〃Yes；〃 agreed Phil。 〃The next question is how are the people going to
get here to see the show？〃
〃I was thinking of that myself。 The answer is easy； though。〃
〃What〃
〃They won't come。〃
〃Why？ Are they drowned out？〃
〃No； the town is high enough so they will not suffer much of any
damage； except as the water gets into their cellars。 No； they are all right。
I wish we were as much so； but there'll be no use in giving a show this
afternoon。〃
〃Wait a minute；〃 spoke up Phil； raising one hand while he considered
briefly。
〃Of course； you have an idea。 It wouldn't be you if you hadn't。 But I
am afraid that； this time； you will fall short of the mark。〃
〃No； not if you will let me carry out a little plan。〃
〃What is