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.Iought 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 commotion 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 come 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'ttouch 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 coming, 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.
